Small protein blockers of human IL-6 receptor slow the growth and spread of cancer cells

Scientists from the Institute of Biotechnology have successfully developed novel small protein blockers of human interleukin-6 receptor alpha (IL-6Rα) and, in collaboration with researchers from other academic institutions, extensively functionally tested.

These proteins, called NEF ligands, specifically bind to IL-6Rα and exhibit antagonistic effects. The most promising variants NEF108, NEF163 and NEF172 have successfully slowed the growth and movement of melanoma, pancreatic cancer and glioblastoma cancer cells under laboratory conditions. NEF proteins also disrupted IL-6-induced differentiation in primary human B cells. These results suggest that NEF proteins could represent a new class of non-toxic anticancer agents with the potential to stop or slow the proliferation and migration  of cancer cells.

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