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Scientists from the Far Eastern Federal University (FEFU) together with the National Scientific Center for Marine Biology named after A.V. Zhirmunsky Far Eastern Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences isolated and describe the biomolecule that has a potential in the diagnosis of malignant tumors. The results of the study are published in the journal Marine Drugs.

According to the FEFU Institute of Life Sciences and Biomedicine, the molecule was isolated from the hemolymph of the horse mussel Modiolus Kurilensis. It is able to interact with certain types of tumor cells and distinguish them from each other. Scientists say that it is promising not only in terms of diagnostics but also targeted drug delivery to malignant cells, which can increase their effectiveness, as well as decrease or remove toxicity to normal cells and by that reduce the side effects of chemotherapy.

According to Vadim Kumeiko, Deputy Director of the FEFU Institute of Life Sciences and Biomedicine, biology at the junction with medicine solves important problems in today’s society. Malignant tumors are described by a large variety of pathologically altered cells, in fact making each case of cancer a unique one. The effectiveness of the fight against malignant tumors is largely determined by accurate molecular diagnostics and effective chemotherapy agents selected for the patient, capable of finding and neutralizing the remaining dangerous cells even after successful tumor removal.

The Institute of Life Sciences and Biomedicine focuses on finding new molecules that can distinguish certain types of cells, which is fundamental for the development of personalized medicine. “FEFU aims to become a leading center of development and use of modern biomedical technologies,” the scientist summed up.

“The first results of the new protein research showed its selective interaction and effective suppression of the growth of certain types of tumor cells. For proper treatment, it is necessary to select a combination of drugs and an individual treatment strategy for each type of tumor and its cellular composition. This molecule can be used to create new diagnostic panels, recognizing the “profiles” of tumor cells,” said Andrey Grinchenko, a young researcher at the Institute of Life Sciences and Biomedicine of the Far Eastern Federal University.

The development of scientific projects is ensured by the formation of a medical cluster at the university, which includes the most modern medical center in the Russian Far East. Furthermore, FEFU researchers and students participate in major international biomedical projects in partnership with the institutes of the Far Eastern Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, the largest universities in the world, research centers and laboratories.