If successful in trials, such drugs could reach the Russian market in 7-10 years.
Photo Credit: Vladimir Petrov
Scientific Frontline: Extended "At a Glance" Summary
The Core Concept: Researchers at Ural Federal University (UrFU) have synthesized a new family of chemical compounds that selectively target and suppress the growth of specific tumor cells by halting their division rather than immediately destroying them.
Key Distinction/Mechanism: Unlike traditional chemotherapy drugs that are often cytotoxic (cell-killing) and harmful to healthy tissues, these new compounds utilize a cytostatic mechanism. They effectively "freeze" the tumor by blocking Cyclin-dependent kinase 2 (CDK2), a protein critical for cell division, thereby preventing tumor proliferation with reduced toxicity to healthy cells.
Origin/History:
- Discovery Context: Developed by the UrFU Scientific, Educational and Innovative Center of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Technologies.
- Publication: Findings and descriptions of the compounds were published in the international journal ChemMedChem.
- Timeline: Announced in February 2026, with potential market availability estimated in 7-10 years pending successful trials.
Major Frameworks/Components:
- Targeted Selectivity: Two specific compounds demonstrated high selectivity for glioblastoma (brain cancer) and bladder cancer cells while sparing healthy kidney cells.
- CDK2 Inhibition: Computer modeling identified CDK2 as the primary molecular target, explaining the suppression of cell division.
- Heterocyclic Structure: The agents are low molecular weight compounds with heterocyclic structures, a common trait in modern targeted therapies.
Branch of Science: Medicinal Chemistry, Oncology, Pharmacology.
Future Application: The development of a new generation of targeted anticancer drugs that offer a safer profile than current chemotherapies, specifically for treating aggressive cancers like glioblastoma and bladder cancer.
Why It Matters: Malignant neoplasms remain a leading cause of death globally, with tumors often developing resistance to existing toxic treatments. This research provides a pathway to therapies that manage cancer as a chronic, non-growing condition, significantly improving patient safety and quality of life.
The research team of UrFU Scientific, Educational and Innovative Center of the Chemical and Pharmaceutical Technologies has synthesized substances that could pave the way for the development of new cancer treatments - safer and more targeted than current methods. The new compounds selectively target certain types of tumor cells and work by suppressing cell division, rather than immediately destroying them. The description of the new compounds and the results of the studies were published in the ChemMedChem international chemistry journal.
“Using an original synthesis method, we created a new family of chemical compounds. Most of these substances inhibit the growth of tumor cells, but many of them are toxic to healthy cells. Nevertheless, two compounds showed selective activity and only affected tumor cells - bladder cancer and glioblastoma, “said Konstantin Savateev, co—author and associate professor at UrFU Center for Chemical and Pharmaceutical Technologies.
New substances were tested on glioblastomas (brain cancer), bladder cancers, lung cancers, and healthy human kidney cells. They also performed molecular docking of synthesized molecules. A study on cells showed that one of the compounds does not kill tumors immediately, like classical chemotherapy drugs. It stops tumor cell division (has a cytostatic effect), effectively "freezing" the tumor and preventing it from growing.
Computer modeling helped to identify the target affected by the substance. Scientists believe that the likely target for new compounds is CDK2 (Cyclin-dependent kinase 2), a protein that plays a key role in cell division and whose blocking explains the cytostatic effect. The synthesis of a substance that targets CDK2 could open opportunities for creating a new generation of drugs.
The creation of new safe anticancer drugs is an urgent task. Malignant neoplasms are currently the second most common cause of death in the world after cardiovascular diseases. Moreover, tumors adapt to existing drugs, many of which are extremely toxic to healthy cells, and eventually develop resistance. Therefore, an active search is underway worldwide for new substances that will be effective against the disease and will not harm healthy cells on the one hand.
As the scientists explain, currently, most newly approved targeted drugs are low molecular weight compounds with heterocyclic structures. This means that drug molecules are much smaller than, for example, proteins or nucleic acids, which can affect treatment of diseases.
According to the researchers, if successful trials are conducted and other factors are considered, a drug based on a new compound could appear on the Russian market in 7-10 years.
Reference: According to WHO, more than 20 million new cases of malignant neoplasms were diagnosed in 2022 worldwide. At the same time, about 9.7 million people died from cancer. It is estimated that the number of new cases per year will increase to about 30 million by 2040.
Published in journal: ChemMedChem
Authors: Veronika V. Dolgova, Konstantin V. Savateev, Grigoriy V. Urakov, Evgeniya T. Shabunina, Tatiana E. Sbrodova, Ekaterina A. Lvova, Ilya I. Butorin, Elena A. Fesenko, Vsevolod V. Melekhin, Maria D. Tokhtueva, Anastasiya V. Paramonova, Andrey A. Zonov, Svetlana K. Kotovskaya, and Vladimir L. Rusinov
Source/Credit: Ural Federal University | Anastasia Pyankova
Reference Number: pham020426_01