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Of an area of 14 million square kilometers – one and a half times larger than that of Brazil – almost entirely covered with an ice floe from 2, 1 km thick on average (but this in some points can reach nearly five kilometers), and still 20 million square kilometers of frozen sea in winter and 1.6 in summer , The icy stretch of Antarctica is an extreme environment . But for this reason, it is an area conducive to the emergence and evolution of species unique to exotic metabolisms that increase the chances of development – and discovery – of new substances that may give birth. to new drugs for the treatment of various diseases, among them cancer.
Silva did some research in a inhospitable region with species that only exist in Antarctica and vague there is little human influence
The purpose of Silva's trip was to search, in his case, for the search for bioactive compounds.
Photo: Leonardo José Silva / Press Release / BBC News Brasil
According to him, prospecting activities can be carried out in any environment. "However, the chances of discovery of new substances, likely to aid in the development of drugs, biological controllers of pests in agriculture or even enzymes favoring the benefits of an industrial process given, are increased when one seeks in an unexplored place, such as example of the Antarctic continent, "he says.
Indeed, the inhospitable region reconciles important factors for the establishment of unusual metabolic pathways, such as extreme environmental conditions, low gene flow, endemic species (which exist only there) ) and a reduced human influence, likely to favor the production of substances of biotechnological importance.
Silva investigated the herb microbiome badociated with the rhizosphere in King George Island, located in the Antarctic Peninsula.
An Esalq researcher identified five new species and isolated 72 strains of the bacterial group
The objective of the Esalq researcher was to discover and select actinobacterial strains (a polyvalent bacterial group in the generation of bioactive compounds) capable of producing substances effective to control the development of human tumors.
Following his survey, the researcher identified five new species, including Rhodococcus psychrotolerans a description of which was recently published in the international journal Antonie van Leeuwenhoek.
In addition, 72 strains of this bacterial group were isolated and a "library" containing 42,528 clones was created. "Through research activities, we have obtained a collection of actinobacteria that produce antitumor compounds, which can be deepened through partnerships between public research centers or private initiatives," said Silva.
"If we commit our efforts to obtain active compounds, it is to contribute to the development of cancer treatments in order to give greater life expectancy to patients."
Silva's work was carried out with a financial contribution from CNPq
With regard to the production of antitumor compounds, two lines discovered by Silva showed a pronounced activity against the development of lung and bad glioma cancers and thus the characterization of the bioactive constituents was selected.
The substances that are cinérubine B and actinomycin D, identified in the crude extract of strains CMAA 1527 and CMAA 1653 of the bacterium found by Silva, respectively, are known for their antitumor activities. That is, they are already used in countless drugs for the treatment of cancers. Despite this, the results of the work of the USP researcher represent an important scientific contribution for the country, given their significant value. Every 100 mg of actinomycin D, for example, costs around R $ 14,000.
The research, according to Silva, was part of his doctoral dissertation of Esalq's agricultural microbiology program and was funded by the National Council for Scientific and Technological Development (CNPq). The study, he said, was guided by the researcher Itamar Soares de Melo, from Embrapa Meio Ambiente, a unit of the Brazilian Agricultural Research Society, in addition to the establishment of the project. a series of partnerships.
According to the researcher, the substances obtained from the microorganisms and the plants represent 60% of the antitumor agents
Silva's research fits into a broader context, in which the increase in the number of cancer cases has attracted the attention of the scientific community worldwide.
Photo: Leonardo José Silva / and motivated the search for new strategies and new drugs for the treatment of the disease. "In this sense, substances obtained from microorganisms and plants are among the most promising, accounting for about 60% of antitumor agents whose use has been approved in recent decades", he declares.
According to Silva, the discovery and identification of antitumor activity of compounds in laboratory-developed cancers is the first step in the development of a new drug for clinical use. "The following steps are in vivo tests (with animals), structural modifications to maintain their activity and avoid damaging effects on non-diseased cells, optimal dosage and encapsulation tests substances and, finally, in humans, "he explains.
This region is conducive to the emergence and evolution of unique species endowed with exotic metabolisms that increase the chances of development – and discovery – of new substances.
Photo: Leonardo José Silva / Press Release / BBC News Brazil
But Silva's work is not over yet. "Since only two discovered lines have been explored and we have 15 other producers of anti-cancer compounds without any additional information, I have the main interest in studying them in search of new bioactive compounds," he says.
Another goal is to continue trials initiated through effective partnerships in clinical trials, drug dosages, and structural modifications of substances produced to reduce cytotoxicity (tumors); that is, new drugs only work against cancer cells.
See also:
Five changes in habits that can reduce the risk of cancer
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