Raltegravir – therapeutic inhibitor of fascin1 in cancer

Tumour metastasis is the leading cause of cancer mortality and requires the formation of cellular protrusions on tumour cells that allow their migration, invasion, and proliferation to other tissues. Fascin1 is a key protein in the formation of these protrusion organelles, and it is overexpressed in human carcinoma’s tissues. Researchers from the UCAM, the IMIB-Arrixaca and the Universidad de Granada  identified a new indication of Raltegravir for its use in colorectal cancer treatment as a Fascin1 inhibitor. The mechanism of action is based on the inhibition of Fascin1, which prevents its action in cell invasion and metastasis. 

Raltegravir (RAL) binds directly to Fascin1 molecules, inhibiting their action in the crosslinking of actin filaments into tightly packed parallel bundles, which is a process that allows the tumour cells to develop the required protrusions for cell invasion and metastasis. In vitro results have shown that RAL reduces the ability of Fascin1 to arrange packed bundles under control conditions. Therefore, RAL’s anti-tumoral effects are Fascin1-dependent, with potential therapeutic action in other high-expressed Fascin1 cancer types. RAL can be administered parenterally, orally, nasally, rectally, topically, or buccally, and is an FDA approved drug used in the treatment of HIV/AIDS.

This novel drug application brings many benefits:

  • Validated therapeutic action for colorectal cancer, RAL anti-tumoral action is Fascin1-dependent and has anti-migration and anti-invasion effects.
  • Prevents cell invasion and metastasis, RAL prevents the protein arrangement that enables invasion and migration organelles formation.
  • Multiple administration mechanisms, clinicians can adapt the administration technique to the optimum treatment protocol.
  • Potential treatment for other cancer types. Fascin1 effects are present in other types of cancer such as subtypes of breast and lung cancers.
  • FDA approved drug since 2007, therefore being secure for human treatment.

The represented institutions are looking for a collaboration that leads to commercial exploitation of the presented invention.

Institutions: Universidad Católica de Murcia, Instituto Murciano de Investigación Biomédica Virgen de la Arrixaca, Universidad de Granada 

TRL: 3-4

Protection status: Patent Application

Contact: Noelia Mas / noelia@viromii.com