We Are ETH Tackling Drug Resistance in Cancer Treatment – Stefanie Flückiger
Oct 3, 2024
Stefanie Flückiger, co-founder and CEO of Tolremo Therapeutics, leads a dynamic biotech company focused on combating non-genetic drug resistance in cancer treatment. In this conversation, she shares her journey from academia to entrepreneurship, emphasizing the importance of diversity in driving innovation. Stefanie delves into the science behind cancer cell resistance, discussing how tumors adapt to treatments. She also reflects on her personal aspirations and the valuable lessons learned along the way, blending scientific rigor with heartfelt insights.
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Melanoma and BRAF Inhibitors
- BRAF inhibitors initially showed miraculous results in melanoma patients, melting tumors away within weeks.
- However, the cancers quickly returned, highlighting the challenge of drug resistance.
Cancer Cell Adaptation
- Cancer cells, like all cells, adapt to environmental changes, including drug exposure.
- Inhibiting an oncogene doesn't simply kill cancer cells; it triggers survival mechanisms and drug resistance.
Embryonic Gene Activation
- Cancer cells, when exposed to targeted therapies, activate early stress responses and de-differentiation.
- They reactivate genes normally active only in the developing embryo as part of their survival mechanism.