Vietnamese Team Cracks 20-Year Biology Puzzle for Cancer Therapy

Photo courtesy of VN Express

Three Vietnamese researchers in Hong Kong have resolved a longstanding molecular biology enigma regarding the enzyme DICER. This breakthrough, published in Nature on March 4, uncovers a second binding pocket in DICER, fundamentally altering the understanding of RNA interference—a process crucial for cancer treatment development. The discovery provides a missing piece in designing RNA interference therapies, potentially leading to more effective cancer treatments.

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The team from the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST), led by Associate Professor Nguyen Tuan Anh, alongside PhD students Ngo Minh Khoa and Le Cong Truc, revealed this hidden aspect of DICER. Their nine-year study utilized biochemical methods and cryo-electron microscopy to observe DICER's interactions with RNA at an atomic level. Previously, DICER’s operation was attributed to its known binding pocket, leading to unexplained cleavage errors in RNA processing.

By identifying a previously unknown binding pocket that recognizes guanosine, the researchers demonstrated how DICER ensures accurate RNA cutting. This discovery highlights the enzyme's flexibility and introduces a self-correcting mechanism in RNA, enhancing the precision of RNAi therapies needed for treating various diseases.

This research arrives as RNA interference therapies gain traction, with approved drugs targeting several conditions, including hereditary disorders and high cholesterol. Assistant Professor Kwon Sung-Chul from the University of Hong Kong praised the findings as pivotal for ongoing therapeutic advancements, particularly in cancer.

Despite a challenging journey involving significant investment in cryo-EM technology and intense workloads, the team prevailed. Tuan Anh’s confidence in Vietnamese scientific capabilities underlines the potential for excellence when afforded suitable opportunities.

Looking forward, this discovery opens new avenues for refining RNAi therapies, promising further contributions to cancer treatment methodologies. With Khoa continuing his PhD studies at HKUST and Truc pursuing postdoctoral work in Switzerland, the researchers remain at the forefront of advancing molecular biology, reported VN Express.

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  Adapted by ASEAN Now · VN Express · 12 Mar 2026