Hamlet BioPharma, the pharmaceutical company, specializing in the development of drugs for cancer and infections, announces the publication of new scientific advances important for the mechanism of action of Alpha1H in the treatment of bladder cancer, in collaboration with scientists at Lund University. 

A summary of the study, investigating the mechanism of action of Alpha1H, using high resolution imaging technology, was published on March 25th, 2025 in Life Science Alliance by the team at Lund University, associated with Hamlet BioPharma.  

Link to the article: https://www.life-science-alliance.org/content/8/6/e202403114

Title: Rapid endoplasmic reticulum (ER) remodelling induced by a peptide-lipid complex in dying tumor cells 

The study shows that Alpha1H targets a major membrane system (ER) in tumor cells that stretches from the cell border all the way to the nuclei. This continuous membrane structure defines many aspects of cellular life. It is the largest membrane-bound organelle and accounts for more than 50% of the total membrane area in eukaryotic cells. Organized like a ''fishing net'' the network plays a critical role as a scaffold for many different cellular functions, including cell death.

The membrane structure is rigorously controlled to fulfil these different cellular needs. The scientists discovered that Alpha1H changes the structure of the network and triggers a process similar to the tightening of fishing nets around their content of fish. The paper proposes that this process allows dying cells to contain toxic components and avoid leakage to the surrounding tissue during the cell death process. This mechanism could be an essential explanation for the low toxicity of the Alpha1H complex, which has been seen in cells, animal models and patients.

These insights into the mechanism of action of Alpha1H were made possible by combining high resolution imaging technology with advanced microcopy, cellular and molecular techniques, available to Hamlet BioPharma through the collaboration with Lund University..

För mer information, vänligen kontakta

Catharina Svanborg, VD, Hamlet BioPharma AB, +46 709 42 65 49,

catharina.svanborg@hamletpharma.com

Arunima Chaudhuri, Scientist, Lund University, +46 76 755 38 43

arunima.chaudhuri@med.lu.se