In a first, researchers from India will study the proteins and genes of cancer tumours simultaneously. The aim of the merger between the two promising sciences (proteomics and genomics) is to derive new medications as well as offer personalised cancer therapies.
Last month, India became the 12th country to join the International Cancer Proteogenome Consortium (ICPC) of the National Cancer Institute (NCI), U.S. It is a forum for collaboration among the world’s leading cancer and proteogenomic research centres. In the Indian team, the Indian Institute of Technology Bombay (IITB) is to study proteomics and the Tata Memorial Hospital (TMH), Mumbai, India’s premier cancer institute, is to study the genomics of three cancers, breast, head and neck, and cervix. As a pilot project, the researchers will be studying 100 samples from each of these cancers.
A first for India
“This is for the first time that proteomics and genomics of the cancer tumours will be looked at by taking the same samples. There are a few such projects in the world but none in India so far,” says Dr. Sanjeeva Shrivastava, Associate Professor, and group leader of the proteomics laboratory, IITB. “The data analysis and interpretation are going to be challenging but worth the effort,” he says.
The field of genomics involves studying all the possible genes in the system or the organism and also analysing their mutations. Through an intricate process, DNA, which is the storehouse of genetic instructions, makes proteins. Tweaking this manufacture can mean influencing the kind of protein products, and consequently, vital molecules for life.
“This is the reason why drug makers target proteins to look at inhibitors or therapeutics. Studying proteins is extremely challenging and any findings therefore become extremely relevant in terms of novel and better treatments,” says Dr. Shrivastava. While there are an estimated 20,000 genes, there are many more proteins. “Proteins are in the millions and thus complicated to study. We don’t have any accurate estimates as they further get modified,” he explains.
According to the NCI, previous studies have shown that genomic changes are not always present at the protein level. This suggests that the additional level of proteomic analysis can lead to an enhanced understanding of tumour resistance and/or toxicity to therapy and can one day offer the ability to predict treatment response by examining drug response or toxicity. The website says: “As a result, the ICPC teams believe that integrating genomic and proteomic data together can provide more information and insight into cancer’s development and growth.”
According to Dr. Shrivastava, given the small sample size in the pilot phase, they will look for answers for extremely focussed questions. “For example, breast cancers have many subtypes. So we may consider looking at one particular subtype like ‘triple negative’. Within them, we will look at the response to a particular therapy,” he says.
Peek at the future
The five-year project will attempt to carry out the pilot phase with funds from the institutes. Eventually, it will look at funds from government and philanthropic organisations. While it will take years for results, Dr. Shrivastava is optimistic and ambitious. “Can we have a robust technology that can help us get protein reports in 24 hours, just like blood reports? Can we offer quick treatment protocols that are unique and personalised instead of simply offering standard chemotherapy for all? This is what we are looking at eventually.”
A study published this month in T he New England Journal of Medicine says that 70% of early-stage breast cancer patients who would normally be candidates for chemotherapy based on their clinical features actually do not need the treatment. The study claims that women could skip toxic chemotherapy cycles and only take a drug that blocks the hormone oestrogen. The findings, based on gene tests carried out on tumour samples, are most likely to cause an overhaul of cancer treatment worldwide.
Dr. Sudeep Gupta, medical oncologist, TMH, says that essentially there are two methods of inquiring into tumours — genomics and proteomics. “Till now, there has been no handshake between the two. This new project is looking at an integrated approach by getting researchers in both fields together. This will definitely open new targets in terms of cancer treatment,” he says.
jyoti.s@thehindu.co.in
