A pioneering team of researchers from Canada has devised an innovative method to rapidly identify personalized treatments for pediatric cancer patients. By combining proteomics with a unique technique involving chicken eggs, the team successfully identified and tested a drug for a young patient’s tumor within the critical timeframe needed for treatment. This breakthrough highlights the potential of studying proteins as a complementary approach to genomics in real-time cancer therapies.

Pioneering Research Combines Proteomics and Chicken Egg Avatars

In a groundbreaking study published in EMBO Molecular Medicine, researchers at the University of British Columbia (UBC) and BC Children’s Hospital Research Institute introduced a novel approach to treating rare pediatric cancers. The study focused on an unnamed patient diagnosed with a resilient form of cancer that resisted conventional treatments. When standard chemotherapy failed, the team turned to proteomics, analyzing the tumor's proteins rather than solely relying on genetic testing. This shift uncovered a metabolic vulnerability tied to the enzyme SHMT2, leading to the selection of sertraline, an antidepressant, as a potential treatment.

To test their hypothesis, the researchers employed a remarkable method: growing a fragment of the patient’s tumor inside a chicken egg. This technique, part of the BRAvE initiative, acts as an avatar host for the tumor, allowing scientists to evaluate drug responses swiftly. Within weeks, they confirmed that sertraline effectively inhibited SHMT2, cutting off the tumor’s energy supply. The results were presented to a panel of experts established by PROFYLE, a key initiative of the Canadian pediatric cancer network ACCESS, which ultimately approved sertraline as the best available option.

Although the treatment slowed tumor growth, it did not halt it entirely, underscoring the need for further advancements. Nevertheless, this study demonstrates the promise of integrating proteomics into personalized medicine, offering hope for children battling rare and challenging cancers.

A Step Toward Faster, More Effective Treatments

This research serves as a beacon of hope in the fight against pediatric cancer. It exemplifies how interdisciplinary collaboration can lead to life-saving innovations. By merging proteomics with rapid testing methods like the chicken egg avatars, scientists can deliver tailored treatment recommendations swiftly. While more work is required to refine these techniques, the success of this study paves the way for expanding such methods nationwide, ensuring that every child receives the most effective care possible. As Dr. Philipp Lange aptly stated, this approach delivers actionable treatment options fast enough to truly help patients in dire need.