Synthetic Molecules Fight Cancer

The molecules developed by Dr. Arie Dagan and Professor Shimon Gatt affected the metabolism of various sphingolipids and consequently those of cancer cells. Sphingolipids are a family of complex lipid molecules that are involved in signaling pathways that mediate cell growth, differentiation, and death. Several of the most active molecules developed by Dagan and Gatt are derivatives of ceramide (a member of the sphingolipid family), which induces cell death (apoptosis) in cancer cells.

The natural levels of ceramide in cancer cells are generally too low to be therapeutic. In preclinical studies to date, the synthetic molecules elevated ceramide levels in cancer cells, thereby leading to their death. In addition, these molecules appear to be synergistic with chemotherapeutic drugs.

Studies demonstrated that the synthetic compounds considerably reduced the sizes of pancreatic, prostate, and breast tumors with little or no effects on normal cells and tissues. The researchers see this as a precursor to the development of a new generation of anti-cancer drugs that induce, selectively, apoptosis only to tumorous cells. For more information: dagan@cc.huji.ac.il