RESEARCH: CANCER
FOLDING PROJECT #17641 PROFILE

This project looks at how the drug Dasatinib (Sprycel) binds to a protein called Abl kinase, which is important for some types of leukemia. Scientists want to see if computer simulations can show us this binding process more clearly and maybe even find new ways to design better cancer drugs.

This is a project studying the binding of Dasatinib (sold as the drug Sprycel) to Abl kinase, the target of many leukemias.

While the binding of Dasatininb-Abl has been observed in other contexts, it remains unclear if parallel simulations will a) observe it more efficiently and b) observe other binding pathways that may be useful for leveraging in drug discovery projects.

This project therefore serves as both a technical test and scientific project.

Dasatinib

A tyrosine kinase inhibitor used to treat chronic myeloid leukemia.

Dasatinib is a medication prescribed to manage chronic myeloid leukemia (CML), a type of cancer affecting white blood cells. It functions by inhibiting the activity of specific enzymes called tyrosine kinases, particularly Bcr-Abl, which play a crucial role in the uncontrolled growth of CML cells.

Sprycel

The brand name for the drug Dasatinib.

Sprycel is a commercial brand name for the medication Dasatinib. It's widely recognized as a treatment for chronic myeloid leukemia (CML). The drug works by blocking the activity of specific enzymes involved in cancer cell growth.

Abl kinase

A type of enzyme involved in cell growth and division.

Abl kinase is a protein that plays a vital role in regulating cell growth and division. Abnormal activity of Abl kinase can contribute to the development of certain cancers, particularly leukemia.

Leukemia

A type of cancer that affects the blood and bone marrow.

Leukemia is a group of cancers that start in the bone marrow, the spongy tissue inside bones where blood cells are made. This can lead to an overproduction of abnormal white blood cells, crowding out healthy cells.