The University of California, San Diego is the first to test the effectiveness of cancer drugs in space on a space mission.
- As part of a second private space mission, Axiom Mission 2 (Ax-2), American researchers will determine whether two inhibitor drugs can reverse the regeneration of cancer cells.
- By conducting these experiments in low Earth orbit, they would be able to understand the mechanisms of cancer evolution.
- They will also track the health of the astronauts’ stem cells before, during and after spaceflight.
Mounting evidence shows that microgravity conditions can accelerate aging, inflammation and immune dysfunction in human stem cells, according to researchers from the University of California, San Diego (USA). Understanding this process would not only be helpful in keeping astronauts healthy, it could also help better manage cancers.
After a month in space, precancerous markers were elevated
During Axiom Space’s first private space mission, Axiom Mission 1 (Ax-1), scientists sent blood stem cells into space. They had discovered that in low Earth orbit, cancer stem cells seemed to regenerate more easily and become more resistant to treatment. Another finding: several precancerous markers were high after a month in space. “Notable is the activation of APOBEC3C and ADAR1, two enzymes that modify DNA and RNA respectively and promote cancer proliferation and immune evasion,” can we read in a statement of the University.
Cancers: determining whether two treatments can reverse cell regeneration
Based on these discoveries, the team decided to launch new experiments, which will take place over 10 days in orbit, as part of Axiom Space’s second private space mission, Axiom Mission 2 (Ax-2). She sent tumor organoid models of leukemia, colorectal and breast cancer into low Earth orbit “where microgravity conditions will accelerate knowledge of how cancers adopt stem cell properties that make them resistant to therapy, including dormancy, regeneration and longevity.” The researchers will also test two ADAR1 inhibitor drugs, Fedratinib and Rebecsinib, to see if they can reverse the process of malignant regeneration and potentially prevent cancer progression.
In another experiment, they want to track the health of astronauts’ stem cells to assess the effects of the space environment on their aging, immune function and cancer stem cell regeneration. Blood samples will be taken from crew members before, during and immediately after the mission, with up to five years of annual follow-up after the spaceflight. “We are thrilled to have the opportunity, with our private astronaut missions, to advance this work. Our mission is to improve life on Earth,” said Christian Maender, vice president of space solutions at Axiom Space.