Personalized medicine is becoming an increasingly important part of modern cancer treatment. Tailored therapies, based on insights such as a patient’s genetic profile, bring new hope to those suffering from diseases that have been difficult to treat.
Rare soft tissue sarcomas, such as gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST), often develop slowly, leading to late diagnosis and challenging treatment options. Sartar Therapeutics, a Finnish biotechnology company, has set an ambitious goal to develop a new precision therapy for these rare and often fatal cancers.
The Power of Precision Medicines
Soft tissue sarcoma is a type of cancer that arises in the body’s connective tissue. Current treatments rely primarily on surgery and radiation therapy, but no effective medication exists for metastatic stages. Researchers at Sartar aim to address this gap with a targeted drug.
The company has developed a drug, SAR003, that specifically targets PDE3A, a protein significantly expressed in many soft tissue sarcomas. The therapy works by acting as a molecular glue, precisely binding selected proteins together.
SAR003 operates by linking PDE3A to another protein, Schlafen12, within the cancer cell. This interaction raises Schlafen12 levels to toxic concentrations in cancer cells, leading to their destruction while sparing surrounding healthy tissues. This innovation addresses a critical need since, although precision medicines for GIST already exist, most patients eventually develop resistance. By targeting PDE3A, SAR003 offers a novel approach that may also benefit patients who have become resistant to existing treatments. The same mechanism could potentially be applied to treat cancers beyond GIST.
Collaborating for Success
Sartar is currently in the preclinical development phase, and early research results have been promising. However, launching clinical trials requires substantial investment, often necessitating international funding. Sartar actively collaborates with domestic and global partners to advance its research.
Finnish biotechnology research is highly regarded worldwide, but clinical-stage costs remain a significant challenge for all players in the field. Mikael Maksimow, CEO of Sartar Therapeutics, is optimistic that determined efforts and a strong research foundation will yield results. Maksimow also emphasizes the importance of collaboration between smaller companies, particularly in pooling investments to achieve cost-efficiency and mutual benefit.