新技术“照亮”药物与单细胞结合位点 有助发现药物副作用

Core Insights - The Scripps Research Institute has developed a new imaging technology called vCATCH, which allows for precise localization of drug interactions at the single-cell level, aiding in the discovery of drug side effects [1][2] Group 1: Technology Overview - vCATCH technology illuminates the binding sites of drugs with single-cell precision, addressing the limitations of traditional methods that only show general organ distribution and overall drug concentration [1] - The technology is particularly applicable to covalent drugs that permanently bind to their targets [1] Group 2: Research Findings - In validation experiments, the team created binding maps for the cancer drugs ibrutinib and afatinib, revealing that ibrutinib binds not only to target cells in the blood but also to immune cells in the liver, heart tissue, and blood vessels, which may explain potential side effects like arrhythmia and bleeding [2] - The team is currently exploring whether vCATCH can enable cancer drugs to more selectively target tumor cells and is also studying the mechanisms of antidepressants in the brain [2] Group 3: Future Implications - The technology is expected to become a powerful tool for testing candidate drugs, ensuring strong binding to targets while minimizing adverse interactions in other organs, thereby reducing potential risks in early drug development [2]