Tardigrade protein could soon protect cancer patients against radiation

 

Scientists are unraveling the secrets behind tardigrades' extraordinary resilience to extreme conditions. These hardy animals, known for their ability to withstand radiation doses far surpassing those lethal to humans, produce a unique protein called Dsup, which protects their DNA from radiation-induced damage.

Researchers at Harvard Medical School and the University of Iowa successfully isolated and utilized messenger RNA (or mRNA) to deliver this protective protein into cells, offering a promising avenue for mitigating the harmful side effects of cancer radiotherapy.

Radiotherapy, while effective in targeting tumors, inevitably damages healthy cells, leading to DNA breaks, cell death, and inflammation, manifesting in debilitating side effects like mouth sores, pain, weight loss, and bleeding, severely impacting patients' quality of life.

 

The discovery of Dsup's protective capabilities in 2016 ignited hope for its application in cancer treatment, as it was shown to reduce X-ray-induced DNA damage in human cells by approximately 40%.

In preclinical studies, mice treated with Dsup-encoding mRNA prior to radiation exposure exhibited significantly fewer DNA breaks in rectal and oral tissues compared to untreated controls, demonstrating the potential of this approach to protect healthy tissues during radiotherapy. The mRNA treatment did not interfere with tumor volume, confirming its safety and specificity.

While these findings are promising, further research is necessary to validate the efficacy and safety of Dsup-based radioprotection in humans. Beyond cancer, the potential applications of Dsup extend to protecting against radiation exposure in other contexts, such as space exploration and nuclear accidents, offering a versatile tool for safeguarding human health in diverse environments.