For those suffering from primary bone cancer — cancer that originates in the bones — a promising new drug may be on the horizon.
The drug, called CADD522, works by blocking a gene called RUNX2, which is critical to the process of bone formation in cancer patients.
In a recent study in mice, CADD522 significantly reduced tumor volume, increased survival, and reduced cancer-induced bone disease—all without surgery.
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The study, which was published in the Journal of Bone Oncology, was conducted by the University of East Anglia in Norwich, Englandalong with researchers from the University of Sheffield, the University of Newcastle, the Royal Orthopedic Hospital in Birmingham and the Norfolk & Norwich University Hospital.
Lead researcher Dr. Darrell Green, a molecular biologist at the University of East Anglia, told Fox News Digital that there have been no new treatments for bone cancer for 45 years. “This new drug, if approved, would be the first new drug in decades,” he said in an email.
Osteosarcoma, the most common type of bone cancer, mainly affects children and young adults. Of a promising new drug, the lead researcher told Fox News Digital, “The drug only attacks the cancer cells and leaves the rest of the body alone.” (iStock)
Green said that in preclinical trials, CADD522 led to a 50 percent increase in survival rates for all major types of bone cancer — without chemotherapy or surgery.
He hopes survival will improve further with the addition of other treatments.
“Also, because it’s a targeted drug, we haven’t seen any side effects yet,” Green added. “The drug only attacks the cancer cells and leaves the rest of the body alone.”
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Green was inspired to study childhood bone cancer after his best friend died of the disease as a teenager.
“I hope my work and the development of this new drug makes him proud and carries his legacy forever.”
“Ben’s biggest fear before he died was that he would be forgotten,” Green told Fox News Digital.
“I hope that my work and the development of this new drug makes him proud and will carry his legacy forever, ensuring that he is not completely forgotten.”
More research is needed, the oncologist says
Dr. Susannah Cooper, a board-certified oncologist and hematologist at Arizona Oncology, reviewed the study but was not involved in the research. He told Fox News Digital that the results of these preliminary tests are promising.
There have been few advances in bone cancer treatments over the past four decades, doctors said — with one telling Fox News Digital, “New treatment approaches are essential to ensure patients have the best outcomes.” (iStock)
“There are some cancers that have limited response to conventional therapies, and subsets of primary bone cancer fall into that category,” Dr. Cooper said in an email.
“As a result, there has been little progress in their survival over the past 40 years. New therapeutic approaches is essential to ensure the best patient outcomes.”
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Although Cooper is encouraged by CADD522 leading to reduced tumors and improved survival in cell cultures and animal models, she pointed out that there is still much research to be done before this medicine will be used to treat bone cancers.
The new drug resulted in a 50% increase in survival rates for all major types of bone cancer.
“However, it highlights how understanding tumors at the molecular level and creating drugs that specifically target the genes responsible for the onset and growth of cancer can lead to better responses with fewer side effects,” Cooper said.
“This method of drug development has changed the face of cancer care in recent years and is now used in almost all types of cancer.”
Until this point, treatments for bone cancer have mainly involved high-dose chemotherapy and surgery. (iStock)
Until this point, treatments for bone cancer have mainly involved high-dose chemotherapy – which can have significant side effects – and surgery, which sometimes involves amputation of the affected limb.
Green hopes that if his team receives the necessary funding, it could conduct a clinical trial on patients within two to three years.
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Osteosarcoma, the most common type of bone cancer, affects mainly children and young adultsstates the Mayo Clinic on its website.
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The American Cancer Society estimates that approximately 3,970 new cases of bone cancer will be diagnosed in 2023.
About 2,140 people are expected to die from the disease this year.