Patiala varsity researchers make breakthrough in cancer treatment

In a breakthrough in cancer treatment, Punjabi University researchers have found solutions to increase the effectiveness of chemotherapy and also identified specific obstacles that arise in the way of the effectiveness of this treatment.

The research work was published in the International Journal of Biological Macromolecules. 

ICMR Senior Research Fellow and researcher Gera Narinder of Punjabi University, Patiala, under the supervision of Prof Om Silakari from the Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Drug Research of Punjabi University, Patiala, conducted important research on chemo-resistance associated with drug-metabolising enzymes (DMEs).

Gera Narinder is currently working as a Project Scientist at the Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology, Hyderabad.

Prof Om Silakari said chemo-resistance continues to be a major challenge globally, due to which the availability of active drugs is not sufficient to kill cancer cells, and consequently, cancer patients die. He explained that among the main factors contributing to this phenomenon are Phase-1 and Phase-2 DMEs, which inactivate anti-cancer drugs, reduce their effectiveness, and lead to a drug resistance state, where the drug does not do its job.

Recognising the need to address this challenge, Gera Narendra’s research focused on designing novel molecules targeting DMEs involved in cancer-drug inactivation and resistance. The aim of this novel approach is to improve the survival rate of cancer patients experiencing drug resistance.