Researchers at N.I. Lobachevsky Nizhny Novgorod State University have developed a new type of molecule capable of effectively targeting tumors that suffer from oxygen deficiency. These formations are traditionally considered the most resistant to existing treatment methods, making the fight against cancer significantly more difficult.
The key feature of the newly created compound is its dual action. The molecule contains a BODIPY photosensitizer, which is activated by light, and a chemotherapeutic component, cabozantinib. Thanks to this combination, the drug demonstrates high activity even in conditions where oxygen levels in tissues are minimal.
Previously, BODIPY photosensitizers were widely used as dyes for tracking biochemical processes inside cells. However, their application in tumor therapy was limited due to low effectiveness in hypoxic zones. Russian researchers proposed a new approach: they combined a photosensitive agent with a pharmaceutical substance capable of destroying cancer cells regardless of oxygen concentration.
In experiments on cell cultures, the combined molecule showed a significant advantage over traditional treatments. The drug not only destroyed tumor cells under normal conditions but also remained effective in hypoxic areas where other methods prove powerless.
Despite the progress achieved, scientists note that the release rate of active components is still insufficient for clinical use. The team’s immediate plans include optimizing the molecular structure and speeding up the reaction to make the drug suitable for medical practice.
The project was carried out jointly by specialists from the university’s departments of organic chemistry and biophysics. The results have already been published in an international scientific journal, underscoring the high standard of the research and its significance for the global scientific community.
The discovery by Russian chemists could lay the foundation for the development of new drugs capable of combating the most aggressive forms of cancer. In the long term, this could improve treatment efficacy and expand the possibilities of modern oncology.
