The project prepared for cancer treatment at Selçuk University has received support from the European Cooperation in Science and Technology (COST) and TÜBİTAK. The project aims to transform anticancer drugs into targeted and minimized side effects.
The TUBITAK project titled “Synthesis of Fluorescent Hyaluronic Acid-Calix[4]Aren Derivatives, Immobilization of Gold Nanoparticles, Use in the Transport of Different Anticancer Agents and Investigation of Antiproliferative Properties”, led by Prof. Dr. Mustafa Yılmaz, Faculty of Science, Department of Chemistry, was accepted by the European Cooperation in Science and Technology (COST).
Prof. Dr. Yılmaz stated that with the project, they aim to prevent the side effects of existing cancer drugs by making them more targeted instead of discovering a new cancer drug. “We have been working on nano capsules for about 25 years, that is, we synthesize nano-sized compounds. We call these compounds nano baskets. We plan to load the drugs into these baskets and deliver them to their targets. In this process, we will use the widely known hyaluronic acid, which is naturally found in the body. After binding the carriers to the acid, we will load the drugs and direct them to cancer cells without causing much damage to healthy cells. Cancer cells have many receptors to which this acid can bind. In this way, hyaluronic acid will target cancer cells.”
“Results will be obtained in a shorter time with targeted drugs”
Referring to the originality of the project, Yılmaz said, “No such work has been done with these nano baskets until now. The adventure of anticancer drugs is very long. If we had aimed to synthesize a new drug, it would have taken 5-6 years. However, in our project, we hope to get results in a shorter time as we target the existing anticancer drug.”
Emphasizing his belief in the project, Yılmaz said, “Cancer-related deaths are the second leading cause of death in the world, and it will be a source of great happiness for us if we can make some contribution to the helpless people suffering from this disease.”
The biological activities of the compounds to be synthesized within the framework of the project will be carried out by Prof. Dr. Bahadır Öztürk, a faculty member at Selçuk University Faculty of Medicine, Department of Basic Medical Sciences. Yılmaz stated that they plan to move on to animal experiments and clinical phase trials after successfully completing cancer cell culture studies.
İHA Haber Kodu: 20241010AW305444