Scientists discover ‘Achilles’ heel’ of oesophageal cancer

Researchers from The Institute of Cancer Research have potentially found a new use for Imbruvica, after discovering a weakness in certain types of oesophageal cancer.

It was discovered that cancer cells, with a mutation of the gene named MYC, were dependent on a second gene, BTK, and could be more effectively targeted when this latter gene was blocked.

The breakthrough was found after the painstaking task of blocking the function of certain genes in cancer cells and then testing their vulnerability to cancer drugs. In total, they assessed 720 key genes and managed to discover Janssen’s Imbruvica was effective at killing cancer cells whilst leaving healthy cells relatively unharmed.

Oesophageal cancer affects approximately 9,000 UK people each year and is particularly difficult to treat, as it is often discovered at a late stage. This means that for future patients with cancer cells displaying the MYC mutation, there could potentially be a new, more effective treatment on its way.

The next stage of research is to take the findings to Phase 2 trials to see whether the tests in the laboratory environment can be replicated in human studies.

Dr Irene Chong, NIHR BRC Clinician Scientist at the ICR, and Consultant Clinical Oncologist at The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, said: "Survival rates for patients with oesophageal cancer remain very poor, especially once the disease has started spreading round the body. We urgently need new treatment options that attack the disease in novel ways. Our new study has identified a potential Achilles’ heel in some forms of oesophageal cancer, which we believe could be exploited by new treatments. And because there is an existing drug for other forms of cancer which attacks this weakness, we can test out our new approach rapidly in clinical trials."

The researchers on the study also opened up their findings for scientists around the world so the approach and findings of the study can be replicated to potentially discover new combinations. For Janssen, it could potentially open up a new indication for its drug.