In a ground-breaking study, scientists at the Technical University of Munich have mapped the interactions between 144 active substances and around 8,000 proteins, revealing previously unknown effects of existing drugs. This advancement in precision medicine could lead to more individualized and effective treatments for patients.
Researchers at the Technical University of Munich (TUM) have achieved a pivotal breakthrough in precision medicine. They have successfully mapped the interactions of 144 active substances with approximately 8,000 proteins, potentially unlocking unknown therapeutic benefits of existing medications.
This pioneering study, driven by advanced proteomics and the innovative decryptE method, could pave the way for more personalized and effective treatments across various medical fields.
At the heart of this research is Bernhard Küster, professor of proteomics and bioanalytics at TUM, who leads a dedicated team investigating the molecular mechanisms behind therapeutic drugs and their applications in cancer treatment.
Using mass spectrometry, a technology that rapidly generates and evaluates data, the team meticulously analyzed cell reactions to a range of drug doses over an 18-hour period. This extensive study resulted in the creation of over 1 million dose-response curves, which illustrate the intricate mechanisms of drug effects during treatment.
The research findings, now published in Nature Biotechnology, have been incorporated into the ProteomicsDB database, making them accessible to the global scientific community. Such comprehensive data can provide critical insights into cancer treatment, emphasizing the importance of understanding molecular-level interactions for determining suitable therapies.
One significant discovery from the study was the potential immune system weakening caused by HDAC inhibitors, a class of drugs often used in cancer treatment. This insight was made possible by the capabilities of the decryptE method, which records all cellular interactions of active substances, generating voluminous data sets that researchers can analyze from multiple angles.
“Many drugs can do more than we think,” Küster said in a news release.
He draws a parallel to Aspirin, originally known for pain relief but later found to thin blood and prevent strokes and heart attacks. Küster believes that current widely-used drugs may also harbor unknown effects waiting to be discovered systematically through research rather than by chance.
This research represents a leap forward in precision medicine. By identifying how drugs interact with proteins, scientists can tailor treatments to individual patients, reducing side effects and improving the efficacy of therapies. Cancer, with its varied molecular behaviors, is a prime area where such detailed understanding can significantly influence treatment outcomes.
The breakthroughs achieved by Küster and his team highlight the potential of existing medications and the importance of comprehensive molecular analysis. The research community widely anticipates that such advancements will open new avenues for drug repurposing and the discovery of novel therapeutic applications, ultimately transforming patient care and treatment strategies.