Anh T.Q. Cong, MS
Finding Drugs to Protect the Heart During Chemotherapy
Summary
Anthracyclines are effective chemotherapy drugs against many cancers, but treatment often leaves patients with heart complications. Anthracyclines block proteins called Topoisomerase 2 (TOP2), including TOP2A and TOP2B in humans. Inhibiting TOP2A stops cancer DNA from being repaired during replication, but inhibiting TOP2B causes DNA damage in the heart. A drug that stops anthracyclines from binding with TOP2B while still allowing binding with TOP2A could protect the heart during chemotherapy. Currently, no such treatment exists in the clinic, and it’s my goal to discover one. Good drugs fit into a protein like a key into a lock. Most of the “locks” on TOP2A and TOP2B are identical. However, I have discovered a lock on TOP2 that has subtle differences between TOP2A and TOP2B. By leveraging these differences, I am creating new molecules (keys) that are selective for TOP2B over TOP2A. Additionally, I will use cell models to evaluate the effectiveness of the molecules in protecting the heart and whether they interfere with chemotherapy. The outcome of this project will provide a group of potential agents for future studies in animal models and later clinical trials.
I am deeply grateful and honored to receive a Predoctoral Fellowship in Drug Discovery from the PhRMA Foundation. This opportunity fuels my motivation to contribute to groundbreaking research that can transform the quality of life for cancer patients and survivors. With this support, I am eager to continue my research in drug development and deepen my commitment to making a meaningful impact in the scientific community.
