UC Irvine's Dr. Cellek Secures Major Grant to Revolutionize Cancer Treatment with Safer Therapies

In a significant stride towards a future where cancer treatments are both powerful and gentle, UC Irvine's esteemed Dr. Selim Cellek has been awarded a substantial $240,000 grant from the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CRCC). This vital funding is set to propel groundbreaking research into a novel drug, ABTL0812, which holds the promise of transforming oncology by offering safer and more effective therapies.

The grim reality of conventional cancer treatments often involves debilitating side effects, a consequence of therapies that, while targeting cancerous cells, inadvertently harm healthy ones.

Dr. Cellek's pioneering work aims to circumvent this critical challenge by focusing on a smarter, more targeted approach. His research centers on ABTL0812, an orally administered drug developed by AB Science, which introduces a revolutionary mechanism: selective autophagy in cancer cells.

Autophagy, often described as the cell's natural recycling process, involves 'eating' and breaking down damaged or unnecessary components.

While essential for healthy cells, ABTL0812 uniquely amplifies this process within cancer cells, effectively leading to their demise without harming the surrounding healthy tissue. This selective action is a beacon of hope for patients currently undergoing harsh treatments, promising a path to improved quality of life during therapy.

Dr.

Cellek’s ambitious project will delve into combining ABTL0812 with other established anti-cancer drugs. The goal is to create a synergistic effect, enhancing the drug's efficacy and further reducing the notorious side effects associated with current chemotherapy and radiation. A particular focus of his research is on highly aggressive and treatment-resistant cancers, specifically KRAS-mutated pancreatic and lung cancers.

These formidable diseases desperately require innovative solutions, and Dr. Cellek's work could offer a much-needed breakthrough.

The one-year CRCC grant underscores the urgency and potential impact of this research. By unraveling the precise mechanisms through which ABTL0812 operates and optimizing its integration into existing treatment protocols, Dr.

Cellek and his team at UC Irvine are not just conducting experiments; they are meticulously building a bridge to a future where cancer is fought with unparalleled precision and compassion. This endeavor represents a pivotal moment in the quest to unlock treatments that are not only curative but also significantly less burdensome for patients worldwide.