It is a herculean task among the scientists to find a single cure for cancer. A research team from the University of East Anglia developed a new technique for cancer treatment. Cancer therapy that could cut off the blood supply to a tumor could be more effective along with the chemotherapeutic drugs.

The research study revealed that tumor growth could be reduced by targeting the expression of Beta3-integrin along with microtubule-targeting agents (MTAs) chemotherapy. Beta3-integrin was the better anti-angiogenic target since it was expressed in tumor blood vessels, unlike normal cells.

Lead researcher Stephen Robinson said, “Tumours must recruit their own blood supply to grow beyond a very small size and this process is called angiogenesis; Anti-angiogenic drugs stop tumors from growing their own blood vessels, and this, in turn, can slow the growth of cancer, or shrink it. Targeting angiogenesis is therefore seen as crucial in many anti-cancer strategies; however many anti-angiogenetic therapies target proteins that help the functioning of a patient’s normal blood supply - and this can lead to nasty side effects including hemorrhage, strokes, high blood pressure, and fatigue.”

Robinson further elaborated, “This is really important because MTAs are already in clinic and commonly used as chemotherapies such as paclitaxel in cancer patients. Meanwhile, Beta3-integrin inhibitors have been at the center of cancer drug design for over 20 years and are well-tolerated in clinical trials.”