ScienceAlert Homepage

Tumours create a network of blood vessels
to stay supplied - many cancer treatments
starve the cancer by preventing the
formation of these vessels.
Image: iStockphoto

A protein that performs as well as a leading cancer drug in animal trials has been developed by an international team including several researchers from the University of Western Australia.

The naturally occurring protein is known to play an important role in promoting cell death (for example in mammary cells once the young are weaned); promoting cell proliferation; promoting cell differentiation; and, in this new discovery, blocking blood-vessel proliferation.

Results of the trials, published in the American Journal of Pathology show that the protein - secreted frizzled-related protein 4 (sFRP4) - inhibits tumours to the same degree as a very successful antibody, Avastin®.

Winthrop Professor Arun Dharmarajan from UWA's School of Anatomy and Human Biology said UWA and Anna University (AU), Chennai, India, hold patent applications on the use of sFRP4 as an angiogenesis inhibitor and are keen to find a commercial partner for the project. 

The latter role makes the protein useful in fighting cancer, Professor Dharmarajan said: "In order to grow and spread, tumours need a constant supply of oxygen and nutrients.  Tumours get this supply by creating their own network of blood vessels via angiogenesis.  Our data suggests that sFRP4 is a potent inhibitor of angiogenesis.  Further animal studies are required to determine whether sFRP4 is active against other cancers, synergistic with other treatments, pharmacologically tolerated, and the best dosage regimes for treatments."

Simon Handford, of UWA's Office of Industry and Innovation said: "This is still an early-stage opportunity and requires more work to validate and develop these exciting findings.  Hopefully Professor Dharmarajan's publication will help bring it to the attention of biotech and pharmaceutical companies that are interested in evaluating potential cancer treatments."

Professor Dharmarajan said the publication of the group's findings in the prestigious peer-reviewed journal was a big step forward on a journey that he began more than 25 years ago.  "I'd also like to acknowledge my UWA colleague, Dr Frank Arfuso, who was instrumental in analysing the data and developing models of the protein's interactions with major cell signalling pathways involved in cancer progression and blood vessel growth," Professor Dharmarajan said.