Context:
Recently, Indian team used ‘deworming drug’ as repurposed drug to treat oral cancer subtype
Deworming Drug:
- ‘Pyrvinium pamoate’ – Drug approved by Food and Drug Administartion (FDA)
- Significance – Inhibit the tumour cells and improve the survival rate carrying the fusion gene-overexpressing cells
Drug Repurposing:
- Technique of using an existing drug or drug candidate for a new treatment or medical condition for which it was not indicated before
- Methods involved –
- Identifying the drug through computational and experimental approaches
- Evaluating its efficiency using preclinical models
- Proceeding to phase II clinical trials
A study by Mumbai-based researchers has successfully identified a novel fusion transcript in head and neck cancer patients.
Fusion transcript:
- Also known as chimeric RNAs
- RNA transcripts contain different parental genes
- Can be generated by chromosomal rearrangements or intergenic splicing
- When small segments of 2 chromosomes exchange their positions leading to structural rearrangement of the chromosomes
- A promising therapeutic target for head and neck cancer
With promising results from animal studies, the team is planning to soon undertake clinical trials in oral cancer patients
Oral cancer:
- A worldwide public health problem
- 6th most common neoplasm
- Neoplasm – An abnormal growth of tissue (known as tumors) that occurs when cells divide more than they should or don’t die when they should
- Have high mortality rate – Due to a delayed diagnosis, a fast evolution and metastasis, no primary symptoms, lack of awareness etc.
- Oral cancer by regions – Lip cancer, Jaw cancer, Palate, cheek and other mouth cancers and Tongue cancer
- Common types – Squamous cell carcinoma, Lymphoma, Minor salivary gland carcinomas, Mucosal melanoma etc
Source: The Hindu
Previous Year Question
Which one of the following statements best describes the role of B cells and T cells in the human body?
[UPSC Civil Services Exam – 2022 Prelims]
(a) They protect the environmental allergens. Body
(b) They alleviate the body’s pain and inflammation.
(c) They act as immunosuppressants in the body.
(d) They protect the body from diseases caused by pathogens.
Answer: (d)
