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New research sheds light on possible anti-cancer activity of FAK inhibitors


October 26, 2011

New research led by Dr. Christina Addison suggests that a class of experimental anti-cancer compounds commonly thought to only target tumour cells directly, may in fact also be targeting the blood vessels that feed tumours. Dr. Addison’s research shows that the compounds, known as FAK inhibitors, are approximately 20 times more potent in preventing blood vessel growth than they are in preventing cancer growth. With a better understanding of how these compounds work, it may now be possible to develop ways to enhance their anti-tumour activity, perhaps by combining them with complementary cancer drugs. See Molecular Oncology for details.

This research was supported by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research and the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation. All research at OHRI is also supported by The Ottawa Hospital Foundation.