Umeå University develops prostate cancer antibody

Researchers at Umeå University, led by Professor Maréne Landström, have developed a fully human antibody that in preclinical studies slowed tumor growth and blocked metastasis in aggressive prostate cancer. The findings were published in the journal Signal Transduction and Targeted Therapy. The antibody targets a newly identified biological pathway involved in cancer cell growth, invasiveness, and spread. Because it is fully human, it may be less likely to trigger immune reactions. The project involved collaboration with the Science for Life Laboratory Drug Discovery and Development Platform, support from the Umeå Biotech Incubator, and funding from MetaCurUm Biotech AB and several foundations. The treatment is still in early preclinical stages; further safety studies, clinical trials, and regulatory approval are needed before it can be used in patients. Researchers plan to investigate whether the strategy could work against other solid tumors.