A team of Croatian scientists has developed Vini, an innovative computational tool that could transform the treatment of castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC). The goal of this cutting-edge tool is to predict the most effective drug combinations to prevent the progression of prostate cancer into its deadliest form, known as therapy-resistant prostate cancer. If successful in clinical trials, Vini could open new frontiers in prostate cancer treatment, providing hope to patients worldwide.
Prostate cancer is one of the most common cancers affecting men globally, including in Croatia, where it remains a leading cause of death. According to the Cancer Registry, 2,299 men in Croatia were diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2020, and it was the third most common cause of cancer-related death among men in the country. Although early-stage prostate cancer can often be treated with hormone therapy, many patients eventually develop resistance, leading to the castration-resistant stage, which is far more challenging to manage with current therapies.
This resistance is where Vini steps in. Developed by a multidisciplinary team of scientists from the Ruđer Bošković Institute (IRB) in collaboration with doctors from KBC Sestre milosrdnice, Vini is designed to analyze complex cellular processes and propose optimal drug combinations. The tool uses extensive data from renowned scientific databases such as KEGG, DrugBank, PubChem, and the Protein Data Bank to identify the most effective strategies for combating CRPC at the molecular level.
A New Approach to Combatting Prostate Cancer
The development of Vini was recently published in the prestigious journal Scientific Reports, marking a significant advancement in the ongoing fight against prostate cancer. The head of research, Dr. Draško Tomić, from the Center for Informatics and Computing at IRB, explained the tool’s purpose: “We wanted to create a tool that can comprehensively analyze drug interactions at the cellular level and predict their effectiveness in combination therapy. We took into account all known target genes, proteins, and molecular interactions and were able to propose new drug combinations that could help treat prostate cancer before it becomes incurable.”
Vini’s predictions are based on the identification of key targets within cancer cells, including ALK, BCL-2, mTOR, DNA, and the androgen axis. By simultaneously targeting these pathways, Vini suggests drug combinations that could halt the progression of CRPC, potentially preventing the disease from reaching its most dangerous form.
Cutting-Edge Technology and Collaboration
The development of such a sophisticated tool required vast computational power. The research team turned to the EuroHPC joint initiative, which provided access to the Vega supercomputer located at the Slovenian Institute of Information Sciences (IZUM) in Maribor. This collaboration, supported by the Slovenian National Supercomputing Network (SLING), enabled the research team to perform the complex simulations necessary for Vini’s development.
“Without the supercomputer power of Vega, we would not be able to carry out all the necessary simulations,” emphasized Dr. Tomić, underscoring the role of advanced computing in modern cancer research.
A Collaborative Effort in Medical Innovation
Vini’s development represents a successful collaboration between scientists and clinicians. The scientific team includes Dr. Draško Tomić, Dr. Karolja Skala, Dr. Branka Medved Rogin, Branimir Kolarek, and Dr. Viktor Bojović from IRB. The clinical research team, led by Dr. Jure Murgić, also features Dr. Ana Fröbe and Dr. Antonela Vrljičak from the Department of Oncology and Nuclear Medicine at KBC Sestre milosrdnice.
The next step for Vini is to undergo testing in clinical trials. If the drug combinations proposed by Vini prove effective, this tool could revolutionize the way prostate cancer is treated, offering more personalized and potent therapies for patients at risk of developing therapy-resistant forms of the disease.
A Promising Future for Prostate Cancer Treatment
The development of Vini is a significant breakthrough, illustrating how computational models and big data can be leveraged to tackle some of the most complex medical challenges. If clinical trials confirm Vini’s effectiveness, we could witness a new chapter in cancer treatment, one that emphasizes precision and personalized medicine.
This research highlights the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration in advancing medical science, with scientists and doctors working together to open new perspectives in the fight against cancer.
