Compound isolated from Moroccan fungus shows promise to fight triple negative breast cancer
A compound isolated from a fungus growing on the roots of a flowering plant in Morocco shows promise as a powerful opponent of aggressive triple negative breast cancer, scientists say.
They have early evidence that the peptide EnnA, isolated from a fungus living symbiotically with a flowering plant known for its penchant of trapping flies, directly inhibits the natural and powerful cell protector HSP90, which cancer hijacks to help avoid attack by the immune system.
EnnA lets the immune system do what it should by getting HSP90 out of the way. We are very excited about how this compound is affecting tumors.
Credit: Kim Ratliff, Augusta University photographer
AUGUSTA, Ga. (March 4, 2021) - A compound isolated from a fungus growing on the roots of a flowering plant in Morocco shows promise as a powerful opponent of aggressive triple negative breast cancer, scientists say.
They have early evidence that the peptide EnnA, isolated from a fungus living symbiotically with a flowering plant known for its penchant of trapping flies, directly inhibits the natural and powerful cell protector HSP90, which cancer hijacks to help avoid attack by the immune system. EnnA lets the immune system do what it should by getting HSP90 out of the way, says Dr. Ahmed Chadli, biochemist in the Department of Medicine and Georgia Cancer Center at the Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University. We are very excited about how this compound is affecting tumors.