A New Targeted Model in Cancer Therapy
Prof. Dr. Morten Meldal, known for his work in click chemistry, is developing a novel treatment model that enables molecules to bind rapidly and selectively.
Speaking during his visit to Middle East Technical University (METU), Meldal emphasized that the goal is to develop targeted cancer therapies with minimal side effects.
Direct Delivery to Tumor Tissue
The proposed method focuses on delivering cancer-killing drugs exclusively to tumor sites.
This targeted approach is expected to significantly reduce common chemotherapy side effects such as:
Hair loss
Nausea
Suppression of the immune system
Meldal described his vision as follows:
“Our goal is to make cancer treatable like other diseases, without the severe side effects seen in current therapies.”
Potential Across Multiple Cancer Types
Highlighting that cancer is not a single disease, Meldal noted that many cancer types share common biological targets.
The new method is expected to evolve into a platform technology that could be applied across multiple cancer indications in the future.
Promise for Alzheimer’s and Neurodegenerative Diseases
Meldal’s research is not limited to oncology. He also pointed out ongoing work in Alzheimer’s and other neurodegenerative diseases, focusing on molecules capable of breaking down protein fibers responsible for plaque formation in the brain.
However, he identified the main challenge as delivering these molecules across the blood-brain barrier to the target site.
Artificial Intelligence: Opportunities and Risks
Meldal emphasized that artificial intelligence will play a key role in accelerating scientific research.
At the same time, he warned that AI models trained on inaccurate data could pose serious risks, noting that misinformation on the internet remains a major challenge for reliable AI applications.
Advice to Young Scientists: Be Driven by Curiosity
Addressing young researchers, Meldal stressed that scientific work should not be driven by the pursuit of awards, but by curiosity and the passion to discover.
A New Horizon for Low-Side-Effect Treatments
The click chemistry-based targeted therapy approach could pave the way for more effective and patient-friendly cancer treatments.
Meldal’s work is seen as a potential breakthrough not only in oncology but also in the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases.
