Chemists Synthesize Molecule That Mitigate Growth of Cancer Tumors

First Posted: Apr 11, 2016 04:00 AM EDT
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Researchers from the University of Hong Kong have synthesized a molecule called Cortistatin A, which can help in mitigating the cancer tumor from developing. The study is led by Professor Pauline Chiu from the Department of Chemistry at the University of Hong Kong and was issued online in Chemistry-A European Journal.

Science Daily reports that Professor Chiu and her team applied a (4+3) cycloaddition reaction in their strategy to synthesize the Cortistatin successfully. Cortistatin A is in the group of steroidal alkaloids from Indonesian marine sponge. It contains potent anti-angiogenic activity in small dosages. It is discovered that Cortistatin A is the lead compound in the development of anti-cancer therapies. Its derivative is also a powerful anti-HIV agent.

Professor Chiu said that the invention of the new chemistry reaction is very significant in the field of research. This can synthesize the important molecules. "In this case, the cycloaddition reaction we developed is the key step in our strategy that enabled our synthesis of Cortistatin A to be accomplished efficiently," explained Professor Chiu.

Many well-known chemists all over the world synthesize Cortistatin A because of its complexity structure and biological properties. Professor Chiu established the maximum total synthesis of cortistatin A can yield in the world. It is about more than 7-fold higher than the overall synthesis that been developed at Harvard University. With this number of Cortistatin A and its analogs, it can facilitate further medical chemistry research that may lead to drug development.

WebMD states that cancer is an abnormal growth of cells. Cancer tumors have a size of about two millimeters. They would not grow if they are supplemented by angiogenesis, which is the expansion of the blood vessel network that is needed to nurture the tumor and capable of metastasizing. These angiogenesis-inhibiting molecules can help alleviate the spread of cancer tumors.

There are almost 100 types of cancer. These include skin cancer, treat cancer, lymphoma, colon cancer, prostate cancer and lung cancer among others. Cancer treatments involve surgery, radiation and chemotherapy.

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