Delhi, Oct. 11, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Global Proteolysis Targeting Chimeras PROTAC Therapy Clinical Trials Insight & Market Opportunity Report Highlights:
- First PROTAC Drug Approval Expected By 2027
- Insight On More Than 50 PROTAC Drugs In Clinical Trials
- Global PROTAC Drugs Clinical Trials Insight By Company, Country, Indication & Phase
- Orphan & Fast Track Designation Insight
- PROTAC Drugs Clinical Application & Development Outlook By Indication
- Current & Future Market Overview
- Global PROTAC Drug Market Dynamics
Download Report: https://www.kuickresearch.com/ccformF.php?t=1728551968
Lung cancer remains one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths globally, with millions of new cases diagnosed each year. Despite advances in treatment, including chemotherapy, radiation, immunotherapy, and targeted therapies, a significant number of lung cancers develop resistance to these interventions, making them difficult to treat. The emergence of Proteolysis Targeting Chimeras (PROTACs) offers new hope in the fight against lung cancer by introducing a novel approach to degrade cancer-driving proteins that were previously considered undruggable.
PROTACs represent a groundbreaking innovation in targeted therapy. Unlike traditional therapies that focus on inhibiting the activity of harmful proteins, PROTACs work by inducing the degradation of these proteins altogether. They leverage the cell's natural ubiquitin-proteasome system, which is responsible for breaking down unwanted or damaged proteins. By recruiting an E3 ubiquitin ligase to the target protein, PROTACs tag the protein for destruction, allowing it to be efficiently removed from the cell. This innovative mechanism can address proteins that are difficult to target with conventional drugs, such as transcription factors and scaffold proteins that lack easily accessible binding sites for inhibitors.
In the context of lung cancer, PROTACs are being investigated as a new therapeutic option for targeting proteins involved in the disease's progression and resistance to treatment. One of the key drivers of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), a protein that regulates cell proliferation and survival. EGFR-targeting therapies, such as tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs), have been used to treat NSCLC patients whose tumors harbor EGFR mutations. However, over time, many patients develop resistance to these inhibitors, often due to secondary mutations in the EGFR gene or other mechanisms that enable cancer cells to evade drug action. PROTACs offer an alternative approach by degrading the EGFR protein itself, potentially overcoming the resistance that develops with conventional therapies.
One of the promising areas of research is the development of PROTACs specifically designed to degrade mutant forms of EGFR that are resistant to current treatments. These PROTACs can target both the wild-type and mutant forms of the receptor, providing a more comprehensive approach to inhibiting EGFR-driven cancer growth. Haisco Pharmaceutical has an EGFR-targeting PROTAC named HSK40118 currently in phase 1 clinical trials for non-small cell lung cancer. By degrading the entire protein rather than just inhibiting its activity, PROTACs reduce the likelihood of resistance developing, potentially leading to more durable responses in lung cancer patients.
In addition to EGFR, other proteins implicated in lung cancer are also being targeted by PROTACs. One such protein is KRAS, a well-known oncogene that drives cancer growth in a subset of lung cancer patients. Mutations in the KRAS gene are often associated with poor prognosis and resistance to targeted therapies. While direct inhibition of KRAS has proven challenging, PROTACs offer a new strategy to target this oncogene by promoting its degradation. Arvinas has an active preclinical program underway that aims to identify KRAS-targeted PROTACs for lung cancer, offering a new therapeutic option for patients with KRAS-driven lung cancer.
Furthermore, PROTACs can be used to target proteins involved in the tumor microenvironment, which plays a critical role in immune evasion and cancer progression. Lung tumors often develop mechanisms to suppress immune responses, making them less responsive to immunotherapies. PROTACs could potentially degrade immunosuppressive proteins, enhancing the effectiveness of existing immunotherapies and allowing the immune system to mount a more robust attack on tumor cells.
Despite the promise of PROTACs in lung cancer therapy, there are still challenges that need to be addressed. One of the primary challenges is ensuring the selective degradation of target proteins without affecting normal cellular processes. Off-target degradation could lead to toxicity or unwanted side effects, making it essential to design highly selective PROTACs. Additionally, optimizing the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of PROTACs will be critical to ensure they achieve effective and sustained protein degradation in patients.
Several pharmaceutical companies and research institutions are currently exploring the use of PROTACs in lung cancer treatment. Early preclinical studies have shown promising results, and as this research progresses, it is expected that more PROTAC-based therapies will enter clinical trials for lung cancer. These therapies could provide a much-needed option for patients with advanced or drug-resistant lung cancer, offering a new mechanism of action that complements existing treatment modalities.
In conclusion, PROTAC therapy represents a new frontier in lung cancer treatment, offering the potential to degrade disease-driving proteins that are resistant to conventional therapies. By targeting proteins like EGFR, KRAS, and those involved in the tumor microenvironment, PROTACs could revolutionize the way lung cancer is treated. As research continues to evolve, PROTACs hold the promise of improving outcomes for patients with this challenging and deadly disease.
