New Mechanism Discovered for Long-Used Cancer Drug 5-Fluorouracil

MIT researchers reveal that 5-FU targets RNA synthesis in GI cancers, challenging previous DNA-focused assumptions.

Research indicates that 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) is more effective in GI cancers by interfering with RNA synthesis rather than damaging DNA.
The study found that combining 5-FU with DNA-damaging drugs does not yield the expected synergistic effects in colon cancer treatment.
Findings suggest that pairing 5-FU with drugs that enhance RNA damage might improve its efficacy against gastrointestinal cancers.
The research team plans to conduct clinical trials to test new drug combinations and optimize treatment schedules for better outcomes.
The discovery could lead to more personalized cancer treatment strategies, potentially identifying biomarkers to predict patient response to 5-FU.