Nature sub-journal: Inhibition of RNA synthesis after radiotherapy promotes the death of tumor cells

RNA, the molecule of the origin of life, has been shown to be essential
for repairing human genetic material and preventing mutations that can lead to cancer.
Recent research advances, such as those published by Daniel Gómez Cabello's research team at the University of Seville, propose that this compound could serve as a therapeutic target for the development of tailored strategies to treat cancer
.

RNA polymerases, RNA production machines in cells, are essential
for safely and reliably repairing the breakdown of human DNA.
RNA production is essential for healthy cells, but this is especially true for tumor cells, which need more activity from this enzyme to grow
uncontrollably.

The study revealed that inhibiting RNA synthesis of THZ1 compounds and analogues after treatments that cause DNA rupture, such as radiation therapy, greatly increases the sensitivity
of tumor cells to death.
"This study provides clues
on how to improve traditional therapies and achieve higher treatment success rates.
" While there is still a long way to go in the use of these RNA polymerase inhibitors in clinical settings, clinical trials based on this enzyme for the treatment of cancer are currently underway," explains
lead researcher Daniel Gómez-Cabello.
Researcher Diana Aguilar-Morante, co-author of the study, added: "Increasing knowledge of how to use these compounds in a safer and more targeted way could allow us to treat cancer
as well as possible.
"

The study, carried out by the Seville Institute of Biomedical Research and the University of Seville in collaboration with the Danish Cancer Society, has been published in
the prestigious journal Nature Communications.
The two researchers returned to Spain from Denmark and were able to continue their research, thanks to a contract
funded by the Government of Andalusia and the Spanish Association against Cancer (AECC).
"Thanks to AECC, we were able to continue these studies and move this project forward
," the authors explain.

Currently, the researchers are studying how RNA, the primordial molecule that enables life, can be used as a tool to treat disease
.
Diana Aguilar-Morante commented: "Once we observe that selective inhibition of RNA production can improve the effectiveness of radiotherapy in cancer cells without significantly affecting other cells, we will begin to study it in various types of cancer, such as glioblastoma and childhood neuroblastoma
.
" Gómez-Cabello said: "At this point, our challenge will be to improve the efficiency of these new RNA production inhibitors and reduce the side effects
that can occur in cancer patients.
"

RNA, the molecule of the origin of life, has been shown to be essential
for repairing human genetic material and preventing mutations that can lead to cancer.
Recent research advances, such as those published by Daniel Gómez Cabello's research team at the University of Seville, propose that this compound could serve as a therapeutic target for the development of tailored strategies to treat cancer
.

RNA polymerases, RNA production machines in cells, are essential
for safely and reliably repairing the breakdown of human DNA.
RNA production is essential for healthy cells, but this is especially true for tumor cells, which need more activity from this enzyme to grow
uncontrollably.

The study revealed that inhibiting RNA synthesis of THZ1 compounds and analogues after treatments that cause DNA rupture, such as radiation therapy, greatly increases the sensitivity
of tumor cells to death.
"This study provides clues
on how to improve traditional therapies and achieve higher treatment success rates.
" While there is still a long way to go in the use of these RNA polymerase inhibitors in clinical settings, clinical trials based on this enzyme for the treatment of cancer are currently underway," explains
lead researcher Daniel Gómez-Cabello.
Researcher Diana Aguilar-Morante, co-author of the study, added: "Increasing knowledge of how to use these compounds in a safer and more targeted way could allow us to treat cancer
as well as possible.
"

The study, carried out by the Seville Institute of Biomedical Research and the University of Seville in collaboration with the Danish Cancer Society, has been published in
the prestigious journal Nature Communications.
The two researchers returned to Spain from Denmark and were able to continue their research, thanks to a contract
funded by the Government of Andalusia and the Spanish Association against Cancer (AECC).
"Thanks to AECC, we were able to continue these studies and move this project forward
," the authors explain.

Currently, the researchers are studying how RNA, the primordial molecule that enables life, can be used as a tool to treat disease
.
Diana Aguilar-Morante commented: "Once we observe that selective inhibition of RNA production can improve the effectiveness of radiotherapy in cancer cells without significantly affecting other cells, we will begin to study it in various types of cancer, such as glioblastoma and childhood neuroblastoma
.
" Gómez-Cabello said: "At this point, our challenge will be to improve the efficiency of these new RNA production inhibitors and reduce the side effects
that can occur in cancer patients.
"