DNAzyme platform for more precise cancer therapies : Date: , Theme: GO-Bio next
Cancer is one of the leading causes of death worldwide. Despite progress in fighting the disease – e.g. through antibodies and RNA therapies – there is still a lack of treatment options with greater precision and fewer side effects. The DNAmazing project addresses this by developing a platform based on DNAzymes. These are short DNA sequences that specifically cleave disease-relevant RNA – for more precise and better‑tolerated cancer therapies.
DNAzymes are short DNA molecules with enzymatic activity. Like tiny tools, they bind to a target RNA and cleave the RNA chain at a defined point; the fragments are broken down by the cell, and the target protein is hardly produced anymore. In this way, disease-relevant genes in tumour cells can be switched off. For the first time, recent scientific findings are enabling a targeted and optimised design, allowing for the development of a new generation of DNAzymes with increased bioactivity. This means they act more powerfully and reliably in biological systems.
How the DNAzyme platform works
The emerging DNAzyme platform combines this targeted design with systematic testing. It identifies optimal candidates – independent of surface proteins. This is advantageous because tumours can alter surface characteristics (antigens). Instead, the platform targets the RNA instructions inside the cell – this reduces antigen escape, broadens applicability and increases specificity.
Next steps & outlook
Thanks to their specificity, stability and versatile application, DNAzymes could establish a new class of cancer therapeutics. Working with Philipp Lang’s research group at Düsseldorf University Hospital, the team at Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf is working on rapid preclinical development of the platform and the preparation of clinical trials.
More on funded GO-Bio projects on the overview page