Modern oncology faces a major challenge with undruggable targets. These proteins drive many aggressive tumors like colorectal cancer. A breakthrough from the University of Bath offers a new solution. This platform uses Stapled Peptides Cancer technology to block these elusive oncogenes.
Modern oncology faces a major challenge with undruggable targets. These proteins drive many aggressive tumors like colorectal cancer. A breakthrough from the University of Bath offers a new solution. This platform uses Stapled Peptides Cancer technology to block these elusive oncogenes.
Researchers have engineered a unique bacterial system for drug discovery. Individual bacteria act as bio-factories to produce specific sequences. These molecules undergo chemical stapling inside the living cell. This process locks the Stapled Peptides Cancer into a stable shape.
The stapling process helps the molecules resist enzymatic destruction. It also improves their ability to penetrate human cells. Traditional methods often require toxic solvents for synthesis. This biological approach is cleaner and much faster.
The team uses a survival-based assay to find the best candidates. Only bacteria with functional peptides can survive this rigorous test. This allows scientists to screen millions of variants simultaneously. It effectively enriches the pool with potent drug candidates.
This screening focuses on blocking the CREB1 transcription factor. CREB1 is a master regulator that is often overactive in gliomas. Successful Stapled Peptides Cancer candidates shut down these oncogenic pathways. This selective action prevents damage to healthy human cells.
The technology is now licensed to Revolver Therapeutics for development. This spin-out company focuses on translating discovery into the clinic. They have secured significant funding through the Innovate UK program. Their goal is to create first-in-class cancer medicines.
Revolver is initially targeting pediatric gliomas with this platform. These brain cancers currently have very few effective treatments. In parallel, they plan to study adult colorectal cancers. Using Stapled Peptides Cancer could redefine precision medicine for these patients.
Moving from the lab to the clinic requires extensive testing. Future research will focus on optimizing how these drugs move through the body. The University of Bath team continues to refine the platform. This innovation offers hope for treating intractable intracellular targets.
Stay ahead of the clinical curve—the next great peptide is already in Phase 2. 💊
¹ University of Bath. (2026, March 3). Chemically ‘stapled’ peptides used to target difficult-to-treat cancers. Retrieved from https://www.bath.ac.uk/announcements/chemically-stapled-peptides-used-to-target-difficult-to-treat-cancers/
² Jin, Q., Jiang, Y., Zhang, Z., Yang, Y., Fu, Z., Gao, Y., Li, N., He, Y., & Li, C. (2024). The Role of the CREB Signaling Pathway in Tumor Development and Therapeutic Potential. International Journal of Drug Discovery and Pharmacology, 3(2), 100011. https://doi.org/10.53941/ijddp.2024.100011
³ Shokat, K. M., Dang, C. V., Reddy, E. P., & Soucek, L. (2017). Drugging the ‘undruggable’ cancer targets. Nature Reviews Cancer, 17(8), 502–508. https://shokatlab.ucsf.edu/pdfs/28643779.pdf
⁴ UK Innovation & Science Seed Fund. (n.d.). Revolver. Retrieved from https://ukinnovationscienceseedfund.co.uk/case-study/revolver/
⁵ o2h Ventures. (n.d.). o2h Ventures invests in Revolver Therapeutics, curing childhood cancer. Retrieved from https://o2hventures.com/news/o2h-ventures-invests-in-revolver-therapeutics-revolutionising-childhood-cancer
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