The 2019 Nobel prize for Physiology and Medicine has been awarded to three scientists; William G. Kaelin Jr of U.S, Peter J. Ratcliffe of Britain and Gregg L. Semenza of U.S, for their discoveries on “how cells sense and adapt to oxygen availability." 

The award was announced last Monday by the Nobel Committee, saying that the work by the three laureates has "greatly expanded our knowledge of how physiological response makes life possible." Furthermore, this research has potential to produce life-saving treatments for cancer, heart attacks and stroke.

Oxygen has been long known for being essential for life but the new research provides insight into the way our cells respond to the availability of oxygen. When oxygen level is too low, it causes a rise in the hormone erythropoietin (EPO) to adapt to the low levels of oxygen by making new red blood cells or blood vessels to carry the oxygen (Angiogenesis).

One of the prize winners, Semenza, studied the gene for erythropoietin (EPO) and found that only one protein-complex called hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF) controls how the EPO gene works and respond to oxygen levels. He found that this protein is present when oxygen level is low and disappears when oxygen level is high. Radcliffe and Kaelin, the two other awardees, identified another protein called VHL, which is responsible for destroying the protein-complex when oxygen levels are high. 

These discoveries together revealed a molecular switch for responding to oxygen levels in the human body. It helps us to further understand more about disease, such as cancer, arising from the pathway of new blood cell and vessel formation.

Even now, a number of drugs are being developed from the understanding of the molecular switch for different oxygen levels. Some examples include; Roxadustat and daprodustat, to treat anemia by increasing red blood cell production. Similar drugs also aim to treat heart diseases and lung cancer patients. 

Angiogenesis blockers like Avastin (bevacizumab) are being used to treat a variety of cancers, including malignancies of the brain, kidney, lung and colon. They block the ability of cancer cells to trigger the growth of new blood vessels they need to obtain oxygen and nutrients. 

Recent Articles