Bayer: Science For A Better Life - research

New active substance exerts dual effect on cancer cells

Pincer attack on tumors

Cancer analysis: Nicole Pauloski applies a processed blood sample from a cancer patient to a DNS chip.

Cancer is still the number two cause of death in Germany after cardiovascular disease. This insidious condition can attack practically any of the organs in the body, and modern cancer drugs need to home in on tumors very precisely if they are to control them. Scientists are developing cancer drugs that target various points in the molecular pathways that regulate cancer cells. Researchers at Bayer are working to identify biomarkers that will help to refine and improve this strategy. Biomarkers can be used to determine which patients will gain the most benefit from a particular drug.

Double action against tumors

Sorafenib, a cancer treatment developed jointly by Bayer and Onyx, prevents cancer cells from growing by blocking the Ras signaling pathway and the formation of new blood vessels, a process called angiogenesis, at the tumor. This restricts the supply of nutrients and oxygen to the cancer cells, and they cannot continue to proliferate. Read the following text to learn how biomarkers can help to identify exactly the right drug therapy for the individual patient’s tumor.