An innovative cancer treatment strategy that halts tumor growth and prevents metastasis in animal models has been developed by a research team at the University of Cyprus.

According to an official announcement, the findings were published in the esteemed journal Cell Communication and Signaling. The study was conducted by Maria Christoforou and Dr. Anna Charalambous under the supervision of Professor Paris Skourides, and was funded by the Research and Innovation Foundation and Cyprus Seeds.

The team developed a dual-action molecule that simultaneously inhibits two key cancer-related proteins, FAK and PYK2, by blocking their binding to intracellular adhesion points. This method effectively suppressed tumor growth and prevented lung metastases in mouse models. While initially applied to aggressive breast cancer models, further tests on melanoma and ovarian cancer cells confirmed the molecule’s broader anti-cancer potential.

The approach builds on the team’s earlier work (Antoniades et al., Cell Communication and Signaling, 2021), which demonstrated that small peptides (LD motifs) could displace FAK from its intracellular binding sites. This new study advances that strategy, now also targeting the related PYK2 protein for enhanced therapeutic efficacy.

Notably, a U.S.-based research group from FAKnostics LLC, in collaboration with the University of Arizona College of Pharmacy, Arizona State University, and the Blas Cabrera Institute of Physical Chemistry in Spain, recently published a study in Nature Communications. They applied the Cypriot team’s original concept using a synthetic inhibitor, achieving similar success in melanoma progression suppression. This independent replication reinforces the translational value of the dual-targeting strategy, particularly the FAT domain of FAK and PYK2 proteins, as a promising therapeutic pathway.

The University of Cyprus emphasized that the study's findings highlight the effectiveness and broad applicability of this new therapeutic strategy. The research showcases how fundamental science can serve as the foundation for clinical innovation with international impact.

Despite these achievements, the University noted that investment in research in Cyprus remains low. In 2023, spending on Research and Development (R&D) amounted to just 0.68% of GDP, significantly below the EU average of 2.22%.

Cyprus ranks among the lowest in R&D intensity in the EU, alongside Romania, Malta, and Bulgaria. However, the country records one of the highest growth rates in research expenditure across Europe, with an average annual increase of 10.3% between 2000 and 2022, more than double the EU average of 4.2%.

Maintaining and accelerating this upward trajectory, the University stressed, is critical for Cyprus’s emergence as a regional hub of innovation and scientific excellence.