The researcher Gianluigi Giannelli of the University of Bari, Italy, focuses its research on studying the molecular mechanisms responsible for the progression of tumors, especially hepatic ones, and the identification of new therapeutic targets. Giannelli explained at a conference in the framework of the seminars IDIBELL, on 20 May that this must be the correct approach in the research of new therapeutic strategies against cancer: “Despite it is slower to try several drugs to patients cancer, according to their genetic profile, we must think not only about stopping the spread of cancer, we must avoid that the patient suffers side effects of drugs”.

In this sense Giannelli explained its progress in the investigation of a drug to block the action of TGF-B1 in the proliferation of liver cancer. “In this case”, explained the Italian researcher “we have a single target, TGF-B1, which is involved in several signaling pathways that activate tumor proliferation. With a single drug we get a domino effect in blocking the spread of cancer”. Giannelli has explained that his group will participate in the coming months in several clinical trials with inhibitors of TGF-B.