Researchers Find Plant Compound Helps Overcome Cancer Drug Resistance

Researchers at the Johns Hopkins Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center found that a natural plant compound may help overcome cancer drug resistance, Mirage News reported. The compound helps prevent cancer cells from dismantling treatments designed to restore normal gene activity. [1]

Mirage News reported that the compound, called triptolide, comes from Tripterygium wilfordii, which is commonly known as the thunder god vine. Triptolide works by blocking an enzyme named DCTPP1. Cancer cells use this enzyme to break down DNA methyltransferase inhibitors, or DNMT inhibitors, before the drugs can complete their work. [1]

When researchers combined triptolide or related compounds with decitabine, a specific DNMT inhibitor, the combination significantly increased the drug's ability to reactivate tumor-suppressing genes, according to Mirage News. [1]

Drug resistance occurs when the effectiveness of a medication, such as an antineoplastic treatment used for cancer, is reduced as the disease adapts and evolves. Newswise also reported on the discovery of the plant compound's potential to address drug resistance. [2][4]