A study led by scientists at Washington State University found that blocking the protein CDK7 could prevent heart damage associated with a commonly used chemotherapy drug. Inhibiting CDK7 could also enhance the cancer-killing capability of the medication. The research, focused on the chemotherapy drug doxorubicin, showed that CDK7 activates a chain of molecular signals leading to heart cell death and that mice lacking the CDK7 gene were protected from heart toxicity. Testing a CDK7 inhibitor drug called THZ1 showed promising results in protecting heart health and inhibiting tumor growth, suggesting a potential strategy to prevent heart damage and increase the effectiveness of chemotherapy treatment.
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Blocking CDK7 protein could prevent heart damage associated with cancer treatment
