ETH Zürich Builds Light-Switched Molecules That Reverse Lung Cancer Dormancy in Cells
Updated
Updated · studyfinds.com · Jul 3
ETH Zürich Builds Light-Switched Molecules That Reverse Lung Cancer Dormancy in Cells
2 articles · Updated · studyfinds.com · Jul 3
Summary
Human lung cancer cells treated with ETH Zürich’s lead photoPROTAC, KH-5-309, showed dormancy-linked gene activity shift back toward a more active state when the compound was switched into its active form.
The molecules target the glucocorticoid receptor, a stress-hormone sensor that can push some tumors into a drug-resistant dormant state; different light wavelengths toggle the compounds between active and inactive shapes.
Two lead compounds—KH-5-306 and KH-5-309—degraded the receptor at low doses in cells, spared a closely related receptor, and stopped working when researchers blocked the cell’s protein-disposal machinery.
The current system still has major limits: the inactive form retains some activity, maintaining it required ultraviolet pulses every 30 minutes in lab tests, and the useful wavelengths do not penetrate deep tissue.
That leaves the work as an early proof of concept for cell cultures, tissue slices and organoids, with red or near-infrared-responsive versions needed before any path toward animal or human use.