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A groundbreaking study has unveiled a potential new strategy to help cancer patients better tolerate radiation therapy, a common yet often debilitating treatment. Researchers from MIT, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, and the University of Iowa have harnessed a protein from tardigrades—microscopic organisms known for their resilience—to protect healthy cells from radiation-induced damage.
A Novel Approach to Mitigating Radiation Side Effects
Approximately 60% of cancer patients in the United States undergo radiation therapy as part of their treatment regimen. While effective in targeting tumors, radiation can cause severe side effects, including painful mouth sores, rectal bleeding, and significant tissue damage. These adverse effects often lead to delays or discontinuation of treatment.
The new study, published in Nature Biomedical Engineering, suggests that a protein found in tardigrades, known as Dsup (damage suppressor), could help mitigate these side effects. Tardigrades, commonly called “water bears,” are renowned for their ability to withstand extreme conditions, including high doses of radiation.
Harnessing Tardigrade Resilience
The research team, led by Giovanni Traverso of MIT and James Byrne of the University of Iowa, explored whether the protective qualities of Dsup could be transferred to human tissues. By delivering messenger RNA (mRNA) encoding the Dsup protein into mice, they observed a significant reduction in DNA damage following radiation exposure.
“Radiation can be very helpful for many tumors, but we also recognize that the side effects can be limiting. There’s an unmet need with respect to helping patients mitigate the risk of damaging adjacent tissue,” said Traverso, an associate professor of mechanical engineering at MIT and a gastroenterologist at Brigham and Women’s Hospital.
Targeted mRNA Delivery for Protection
The researchers developed polymer-lipid nanoparticles capable of delivering mRNA encoding Dsup to specific tissues. Tests in mice showed that this technique reduced double-stranded DNA breaks by 50% in treated areas. Importantly, the protective effects remained localized, ensuring that tumors were still vulnerable to radiation.
“We thought that perhaps by combining polymer and lipid-based delivery systems, we could achieve highly potent RNA delivery,” said lead author Ameya Kirtane, an instructor in medicine at Harvard Medical School and visiting scientist at MIT’s Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research.
Future Implications and Human Applications
While the results in mice are promising, further research is needed before this method can be tested in human patients. The team is working on modifying the Dsup protein to minimize potential immune responses. If successful, this approach could not only benefit cancer patients but also help protect astronauts from space radiation and mitigate DNA damage caused by chemotherapy drugs.
Conclusion
This innovative research highlights how nature’s toughest creatures can inspire medical advancements. By leveraging the unique properties of tardigrades, scientists are paving the way for safer and more tolerable cancer treatments.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Further clinical trials are necessary to determine the safety and efficacy of this treatment in humans.
