Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 5, 2026

Testing Targeted Therapies in Cancer using Structural DNA Alteration Analysis and Patient-Derived Xenografts
10:27

Testing Targeted Therapies in Cancer using Structural DNA Alteration Analysis and Patient-Derived Xenografts

Published on: July 25, 2020

6.5K

The end of KRAS, and other, cancers? A new way forward

Livio Mallucci1, Valerie Wells2

  • 1School of Biomedical and Health Sciences, King's College London, London, UK.

Drug Discovery Today
|December 3, 2013
PubMed

Insights

Beta-galactoside-binding protein (βGBP) induces apoptosis in KRAS-mutant cancer cells and is therapeutically effective. This PI3K inhibitor works through alternative pathways, offering a new approach to cancer treatment.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Cancer Therapeutics

Background:

  • Mutant KRAS and other driver gene mutations are key factors in cancer therapeutic resistance.
  • Targeting therapies for Ras/ERK and PI3K/Akt pathways show limited success.
  • Novel therapeutic strategies are needed for aggressive cancers, particularly those with KRAS mutations.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the therapeutic potential of beta-galactoside-binding protein (βGBP) in KRAS-mutant cancer cells.
  • To understand the mechanism of action of βGBP as a physiological PI3K inhibitor.
  • To evaluate the in vivo efficacy of βGBP in cancer models.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized KRAS-mutant cancer cell lines and in vivo models.
  • Assessed the induction of apoptosis by βGBP.
  • Investigated βGBP function in the presence of various genetic alterations (p53, PTEN, PI3K mutations).

Main Results:

  • βGBP demonstrated potent induction of apoptosis in KRAS-mutant cancer cells.
  • βGBP exhibited therapeutic effectiveness in vivo.
  • βGBP function was independent of p53 or PTEN tumor suppressor status and activating PI3K mutations.
  • βGBP operates via alternative physiological routes, not a single target mechanism.

Conclusions:

  • βGBP is a promising therapeutic agent for KRAS-mutant and other aggressive cancers.
  • Its mechanism of action through alternative pathways offers a novel strategy beyond single-target inhibition.
  • βGBP represents a potential breakthrough in overcoming therapeutic resistance in cancer.

More Related Videos

Genome-Wide CRISPR Screen for Unveiling Radiosensitive and Radioresistant Genes08:32

Genome-Wide CRISPR Screen for Unveiling Radiosensitive and Radioresistant Genes

Published on: May 23, 2025

1.4K
Studying Pancreatic Cancer Stem Cell Characteristics for Developing New Treatment Strategies07:29

Studying Pancreatic Cancer Stem Cell Characteristics for Developing New Treatment Strategies

Published on: June 20, 2015

20.2K

Related Concept Videos

Cancer Survival Analysis01:21

Cancer Survival Analysis

Cancer survival analysis focuses on quantifying and interpreting the time from a key starting point, such as diagnosis or the initiation of treatment, to a specific endpoint, such as remission or death. This analysis provides critical insights into treatment effectiveness and factors that influence patient outcomes, helping to shape clinical decisions and guide prognostic evaluations. A cornerstone of oncology research, survival analysis tackles the challenges of skewed, non-normally...
870
Treatment Resistent Cancers02:56

Treatment Resistent Cancers

1.1K
Treatment Resistant Cancers02:56

Treatment Resistant Cancers

Cancer is the second leading cause of death in the United States. A cancer cell is genetically unstable and hence can mutate faster. They can also modify their microenvironment and escape immune surveillance. The difficulties in treating cancer are further compounded by the emergence of rapid resistance to anticancer drugs. The most common ways to attain resistance in cancer cells include alteration in drug transport and metabolism, modification of drug target, elevated DNA damage response, or...
2.7K
Targeted Cancer Therapies02:57

Targeted Cancer Therapies

The targeted cancer therapies, also known as “molecular targeted therapies,” take advantage of the molecular and genetic differences between the cancer cells and the normal cells. It needs a thorough understanding of the cancer cells to develop drugs that can target specific molecular aspects that drive the growth, progression, and spread of cancer cells without affecting the growth and survival of other normal cells in the body.
There are several types of targeted therapies against...
7.1K
Targeted Cancer Therapies02:57

Targeted Cancer Therapies

1.5K
Cancer02:18

Cancer

Cancers arise due to mutations in genes involved in the regulation of cell division, which leads to unrestricted cell proliferation. Modern science and medicine have made great strides in the understanding and treatment of cancer, including eradicating cancer in some patients. However, there is still no cure for cancer. This is largely due to the fact that cancer is a large group of many diseases.
51.8K