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New drug “HA15” developed for the treatment of melanoma

Melanoma, also known as malignant melanoma, is a type of cancer that develops from the pigment-containing cells known as melanocytes. Melanocytes are the cells responsible for the synthesis of melanin, which gives the skin its colour.

Research group at the University of Nice Sophia Antipolis led by Stephane Rocchi discovered a drug that can treat melanoma, the highly aggressive form of skin cancer.
The drug known as HA15, reduces the viability of melanoma cells without being toxic for normal cells. A new family of drugs, the Thiazole Benzensulfonamides (TZB) has been developed which has useful anticancer properties.

There are three stages of tumour progression: radial growth, in which the cells proliferate in a disordered manner in the epidermis; the vertical growth phase, which involves invasion of the dermis, and finally the metastatic phase, corresponding to the dissemination of the cancer cells in the peripheral tissues.

Although encouraging results have been obtained for treating the metastatic phase (using targeted therapies or immunotherapies), most patients will need additional treatments to prevent the tumor from coming back, and to prevent more metastases from developing.
“Initially this family of drugs was identified in type 2 diabetes, as it increased the sensitivity of cells to insulin,” said Stephane Rocchi.

“If we wanted to use it against cancer, we had to be able to eliminate this proinsulin activity. Thus we started to modify its structure,” Stephane Rocchi added.

After many attempts, the initial TZD structure was extensively modified to obtain a formulation in which the “lead compound” was called HA15.

The study was published in the journal Cancer Cell.

Peace-lover, creative, smart and intelligent. Prapti is a foodie, music buff and a travelholic. After leaving a top-notch full time corporate job, she now works as an Online Editor for Biotecnika. Keen on making a mark in the scientific publishing industry, she strives to find a work-life balance. Follow her for more updates!