Targeting the Breach in the Fortress Wall of Mesothelioma
Mesothelioma is a rare but devastating cancer, often caused by asbestos exposure. It can take decades to develop, but once diagnosed, it advances quickly, leaving patients with very limited treatment options. Most current therapies have little effect, and the prognosis remains poor.
In our lab, led by Professor Serif Senturk, two key genes—BUB1 and RUVBL1—that mesothelioma cells depend on to survive were discovered. These genes represent the cancer’s breach in the fortress wall—a hidden vulnerability that, if struck, could bring the whole tumor down. The challenge, however, is how to deliver these drugs safely to the tumor without harming healthy tissues.
That’s where my project comes in. We are developing liposomes—tiny fat-based carriers—decorated with a smart antibody called Anetumab. These liposomes act like guided arrows, carrying cancer-fighting drugs directly into mesothelioma cells while sparing the rest of the body. By striking through the breach in the cancer’s fortress wall, we hope to open new doors to more effective and less toxic treatments for mesothelioma patients.
During my journey, I would share the achievements and milestones with readers.
Author: Fazel Gorjipour, PhD
NanoBio4Can MSCA Co-Fund Fellow
Izmir Biomedicine and Genome Center (IBG)