Srinagar, Kashmir: In a landmark achievement for cancer research, Dr. Shahid Banday, a Kashmiri scientist working at the prestigious Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI) Lab at UMass Chan Medical School in Boston, USA, has uncovered a potential breakthrough in treating Ewing Sarcoma (ES), a rare and aggressive bone and soft tissue cancer affecting children and young adults.
After five years of rigorous research, Dr. Banday and his team published their groundbreaking findings in Springer Nature Communications, titled “The O-glycosyltransferase C1GALT1 promotes EWSR1::FLI1 expression and is a therapeutic target for Ewing sarcoma.” The study identifies a key protein, C1GALT1, as a critical driver of ES tumor growth, opening doors to innovative treatments that could significantly improve survival rates.
The Challenge of Ewing Sarcoma
Ewing Sarcoma is characterized by a spontaneous mutation that produces an oncogenic fusion protein, EWS-FLI1, which fuels cancer progression. However, targeting this protein has been notoriously difficult because it lacks a binding site for conventional drugs.
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Dr. Banday’s team adopted a novel approach, using CRISPR genetic screening to identify pathways essential for EWS-FLI1 expression. Their research pinpointed C1GALT1 as a highly druggable target and discovered that Itraconazole (ITZ), an FDA-approved antifungal drug used for decades, could inhibit this protein.
A Repurposed Drug Offers New Hope
In preclinical trials, ITZ dramatically reduced EWS-FLI1 levels, killing cancer cells while sparing healthy ones. Most strikingly, the drug not only halted tumor growth in mice but also caused tumors to regress. Given ITZ’s established safety profile, Dr. Banday and his collaborators are now pushing for clinical trials to fast-track its use for Ewing Sarcoma patients.
“Drug repurposing is a faster, safer way to bring treatments to patients,” Dr. Banday explained. “Since ITZ is already FDA-approved, we can bypass years of safety testing and focus on its efficacy against cancer.”
The Rising Threat of Sarcomas in India and Kashmir
Sarcomas account for just 1% of adult cancers, yet they comprise over 100 subtypes with limited treatment options. In the U.S., 13,590 new soft tissue sarcoma cases are expected in 2024, with 5,200 deaths. In India, data is scarce, but Ewing Sarcoma cases are rising, particularly in cities like Mumbai, Delhi, and Bangalore.
Dr. Banday also highlighted the alarming prevalence of gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST) in Kashmir, possibly linked to dietary habits like high salt intake and genetic factors. “Early detection is poor, and cases are often diagnosed late. We urgently need focused research on Kashmir’s cancer burden,” he said.
A Global Collaboration for a Cure
Dr. Banday’s team has filed international and U.S. patents for ITZ as an ES treatment and is collaborating with leading sarcoma researchers to expedite clinical trials. His work extends beyond ES—he has also identified potential therapies for ovarian cancer, blood cancer, and Friedreich’s Ataxia, showcasing the power of functional genomics in medical innovation.
A Call for More Research
Despite progress, sarcomas remain understudied. Dr. Banday’s breakthrough underscores the need for greater investment in rare cancer research, especially in regions like Kashmir where diagnostic gaps persist.
“Every discovery brings us closer to saving lives,” Dr. Banday said. “This is just the beginning.”
(For further details on Dr. Banday’s research, read the full study in Nature Communications.)
