Fighting Colorectal Cancer: How KCT is Supporting New Drug Discovery
Ziyi Feng
My name is Ziyi Feng, and I am a PhD student at the University of Kent, working under the guidance of Professors Michelle Garrett and Chris Serpell. My research is focused on colorectal cancer (CRC), one of the most common cancers in the UK. Thanks to the generous funding from KCT, I am investigating a natural compound called 3’,4’,5’,5,7-pentamethoxyflavone (PMF), which has shown potential as a new treatment for CRC.
Before starting my PhD, I completed my undergraduate studies in medicine at Binzhou Medical University (China), followed by a master’s degree in Cancer Biology and Therapeutics at the University of Kent. My passion for cancer research comes from the urgent need to develop better treatments that can improve patient outcomes, especially for those whose cancer no longer responds to standard chemotherapy.
Colorectal cancer is a major health challenge, particularly for patients with advanced disease. While chemotherapy is a common treatment, many patients eventually stop responding to it. This resistance makes it crucial to find new drugs that work in different ways.
PMF, a compound found in a plant called orange jasmine, has shown promise in killing colorectal cancer cells. However, we still don’t fully understand how it works inside the cells. My research focuses on identifying PMF’s exact targets, particularly a group of proteins called Rab GTPases. These proteins play a key role in how cancer cells transport molecules and grow. If PMF disrupts these processes, it could explain how it helps kill cancer cells.
To investigate this, I am using advanced lab techniques to confirm which Rab proteins bind to PMF and how this affects cancer cells. If successful, this research could provide a foundation for developing PMF into a new cancer therapy.
The funding from KCT has been absolutely vital to my research. Without their support, I wouldn’t be able to carry out the experiments needed to uncover how PMF works in colorectal cancer cells. Their investment has given me access to essential lab resources, advanced techniques—all of which are crucial for making meaningful scientific progress.
By supporting this research, KCT is helping to drive the discovery of potential new treatments for colorectal cancer. Their funding not only accelerates scientific breakthroughs but also brings hope to patients who need better treatment options. I am incredibly grateful to KCT for believing in this project and enabling me to contribute to the fight against cancer.