Montreal researcher wins award for developing world’s first non-invasive blood screening test for early detection of eye cancer. Ms Prisca Bustamante — a PhD candidate researcher working at the Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre under Dr. Julia Burnier in the Department of Oncology and Pathology at McGill University — is being recognized for developing the first-ever liquid biopsy for uveal melanoma, the most common intra-ocular tumour found in adults.
This is an interesting paper discussing ferroptosis of which ocular melanoma is said to be susceptible. Ferroptosis is a nonapoptotic, iron-dependent form of cell death that can be activated in cancer cells by natural stimuli and synthetic agents. Three essential hallmarks define ferroptosis, namely: the loss of lipid peroxide repair capacity by the phospholipid hydroperoxidase GPX4, the availability of redoxactive iron, and oxidation of polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA)-containing phospholipids.
We have known about this drug for a while as it is a favourite in the metabolic treatment of cancers. There is a good listing of its potential in various cancer settings HERE. In 2017 lab testing was carried out to see the relevance of this antihelminthic drug niclosamide which showed that iteffectively inhibits the malignant phenotypes of uveal melanoma in vitro and in vivo.
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