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Dr. Bradner's research on JQ1

by terryl1 on Sat Oct 29, 2011 7:36 am

It would be great if someone addressed or wrote an article on Dana Farber/Harvard's Dr. James Bradner's potentially earthshattering research and discovery of the small molecule, JQ1, and its application to multiple myeloma and other cancers. There is a TED talk about his findings and it is posted on Youtube as well.

terryl1
Name: Terry
Who do you know with myeloma?: self
When were you/they diagnosed?: August 10, 2011
Age at diagnosis: 49

Re: Dr. Bradner's research on JQ1

by suzierose on Sat Oct 29, 2011 10:10 am

Hey Terry!

I agree! That's an excellent suggestion. I was only able to find a link to the abstract, full text costs.

P Filippakopoulos et al, "Selective inhibition of BET bromodomains," Nature, Dec 23, 2010 (abstract).

suzierose
Name: suzierose
When were you/they diagnosed?: 2 sept 2011

Re: Dr. Bradner's research on JQ1

by terryl1 on Sat Oct 29, 2011 10:33 am

Hi Suzierose,

It seems to me that this research is as groundbreaking as, and complementary to, Dr. Carl June's gene therapy success at UPenn this summer. His work there got major press internationally. Bradner's work seems not to have hit the mainstream media yet. Also, what Bradner did by going open with it is amazing and deserves a special recognition. Hopefully, the NY Times, etc. will pick up on it.

terryl1
Name: Terry
Who do you know with myeloma?: self
When were you/they diagnosed?: August 10, 2011
Age at diagnosis: 49

Re: Dr. Bradner's research on JQ1

by Kay on Sat Oct 29, 2011 1:33 pm


Kay
Name: Kay Wilson
Who do you know with myeloma?: SMM
When were you/they diagnosed?: 2014
Age at diagnosis: 72

Re: Dr. Bradner's research on JQ1

by Ricardo on Sat Oct 29, 2011 2:04 pm

More on the original Cell paper that describes Bradner's research can be found here:

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/09/110909111521.htm

This approach certainly seems promising. But I think it's also worth pointing out that these are results based on laboratory tests and tests with three mice. I suspect, but don't know for certain, that promising results like this occur several times a year in laboratories around the world, and that's been happening for the last 10-20 years. In the end, though, we still don't have a true cure for cancer in general, and certainly not for myeloma.

If someone has access to the article, I would be interested to know whether the mice that the tests were carried out on lived, or whether they still eventually died of myeloma (or were killed, for testing purposes, before it could be determined whether they would die from myeloma).

One thing that IS promising about this work is the approach that Bradner has taken to the finding. He has made it "open source" -- that is, made it so anyone can experiment with the treatment approach and pursue it commercially, rather than selling off the rights to a single company. One would hope this will make the commercialization of the idea take shorter than the usual 7-10 years.

Ricardo

Re: Dr. Bradner's research on JQ1

by suzierose on Sat Oct 29, 2011 2:48 pm

Ahhhh yes!! The dreaded dead mice, without any cures, syndrome ... lol

Thanks for the very pertinent reminder Ricardo. BTW, Bradner's mice survived!! YAY!! The first human trial of the oral form began in July 2011!! WoooHooo!

I was happy to see the 'open source' too. Worldwide collaboration is good!

Enjoy your weekend.

suzierose
Name: suzierose
When were you/they diagnosed?: 2 sept 2011

Re: Dr. Bradner's research on JQ1

by Ricardo on Sat Oct 29, 2011 3:42 pm

Thanks for the quick feedback, suzierose. Thanks, as well, for all the help you're giving elsewhere on the forum.

It's interesting, and very good to hear, that the mice survived and that they're already testing the treatment on humans.

Do you have a link, by any chance, to information about the clinical trial where they're testing the treatment? I tried to look on clinicaltrials.gov, but couldn't find anything there that looked like it might be the relevant trial.

Just to be clear, I think the work that Bradner and his colleagues are doing is wonderful. It seems to show real promise. It's just that I also think we have to keep some perspective when thinking about the real-life implications of the results.

Frankly, that's one thing I like about what gets covered here at the Beacon and how it's covered. The focus seems to be on stuff that is useful now, or will be useful in the near future. There isn't hype or an attempt to build false expectations.

Ricardo

Re: Dr. Bradner's research on JQ1

by suzierose on Sat Oct 29, 2011 5:58 pm

Gosh Ricardo,

Why did you have to go and burst my bubble? lol

"Laboratory mice transplanted with NMC cells from patients and given JQ1 lived, those that were not given JQ1 died."
http://today.nd.edu/news/27048-controlling-gene-expression-to-halt-cancer-growth/

You made me search for further data, and it looks like I was misled. Darn it!

The human trials, that started in July, are in human CELL lines! The good news is ... STILL ... it is working!! We have INDEED gone from mice to human

AND .. AND ...

"A spin-out company, Tensha Therapeutics, has already been set up to take JQ1 into the clinic"
http://www.rsc.org/chemistryworld/News/2011/August/04081102.asp

Hopefully, human CLINICAL trials soon.

Just gotta find some optimism in this!

suzierose
Name: suzierose
When were you/they diagnosed?: 2 sept 2011

Thank you

by Jay Bradner on Sun Oct 30, 2011 11:56 am

Dear friends,

Thank you for your inspiring comments regarding our research. I assure you that we are moving with all possible haste to further develop JQ1, related and other emerging compounds for thera­peutic benefit in myeloma.

Spending long hours in the laboratory, we are all really inspired by your words here.

Please take care.

Jay

James Bradner, MD
Dana-Farber Cancer Institute
Harvard Medical School
Boston, MA

Jay Bradner

Re: Dr. Bradner's research on JQ1

by suzierose on Sun Oct 30, 2011 2:29 pm

Wow.

Dr. Bradner,

THANK YOU!!

For all your hard work and perservance, persistence and determination to develop new therapeutic molecules that impact cancer.

Nothing can replace your passion that most top oncology scientists have where they are driven to change the oncology world and its boundaries. Someone else with an inspiring story like yours is Anthony Cole at Onyx, he too has a personal story, and understands the need to make drugs available quickly as lives are at stake. You may wish to collaborate with him at some point as great minds think alike, and he is worth your time.

I am hoping for PFS long enough, as a TP53 carrier, to be in a trial with a brondomain inhibitor, courtesy of you.

There simply are no words to praise the advances you have achieved and the unselfishness you have exhibited in sharing that knowledge with the world to accelerate the process.

We will forever be indebted to you. Your legacy will be saving millions of lives with your talent, compassion and brilliance.

Thanks again.

P.S. - Is there a link that tells more about the human Phase I/II trials...does the molecule have an alpha-numeric name ?

suzierose
Name: suzierose
When were you/they diagnosed?: 2 sept 2011

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