The Polish company BS Biotechna is developing a cancer treatment platform using short interfering RNA (siRNA) technology, which is designed to block the genes responsible for cancer formation, rather than targeting a specific type of cancer cell. This system is also anticipated to allow targeted cancer therapy delivery. The project recently received funding from the Medical Research Agency. Scientists underline that this solution is innovative since it can be applied to various types of cancer. RNA technology is considered one of the potentially most useful methods in cancer treatment and relapse prevention.
In an interview with the agency Newseria Innowacje, Dr. Artur Wnorowski, Professor at the Medical University in Lublin, discusses the work that is being done at BS Biotechna. “We are developing a proprietary platform to deliver therapeutic RNA molecules to cancer cells,” he explains. “We aim to silence the genes responsible for the cancer formation process. Our platform is quite unique, maintaining the therapeutic properties of the fragile and unstable RNA compound in the temperature of the human body for quite a long time.”
The company has selected several molecular targets that could not be achieved with classic, low molecule inhibitors. Most proteins involved in cancer formation do not have a well-defined structure or have structural properties, and at the same time, it is difficult to attach any molecule or inhibitor to them. However, they can still be targeted using nucleic acids.
Further detailing the approach, Professor Artur Wnorowski added: “We are not trying to target a specific cancer histology, such as breast or lung cancer. Our goal is to identify genetic changes, molecular susceptibilities that occur in various types of cancers regardless of where a specific molecular change appears in the body. We want to identify features, molecular susceptibilities in any cancer, and target such susceptibility that should be effective regardless of the tissue in which the cancer originated.”
According to a report from Vantage Market Research, the global market for cancer vaccines and drug treatments based on mRNA was worth nearly $55 billion in 2022 and is predicted to increase to over $193 billion by the end of the decade. Therefore, the innovation being developed by Polish scientists has significant potential for implementation. However, it would need further research support.
The project centered on developing cancer treatments on the basis of RNA nanoparticles, along with building a platform for their targeted delivery. It won the Medical Research Agency’s competition for developing targeted or personalized medicine based on nucleic acid-based medicinal products and small molecule compounds in August. The company received over 32 million zlotys.
Professor Artur Wnorowski notes the importance of creating new solutions from the patient’s perspective, such as dedicated hospital units where personalized therapies based on RNA or nucleic acids could be created. The professor also underlines the complex nature of RNA and its many possible applications in medicine.
Finally, it is worth noting that siRNA technology is one of the new strategies in the fight against cancers and genetic diseases. Large pharmaceutical companies and scientific institutes are conducting research on its use in developing therapies for diseases that currently only have symptomatic treatment or where available therapies are ineffective. For instance, Swiss company Novartis recently signed an agreement worth 1 billion dollars with US biotech firm DTx Pharma. As part of this agreement, the companies will use a platform for delivering therapeutic siRNA molecules to myelin sheath nerve fiber cells. Developed by DTx Pharma, this siRNA molecule may silence the expression of one of the genes whose overactivation contributes to the destruction of the myelin sheath of nerves, leading to the development of hereditary motor sensory neuropathy. The developed siRNA technology could result in the creation of the first efficient therapies for this and other neuromuscular diseases.
