RE: ProteinQure20 Sep 2025 18:19
@LLP, yes you're right. I jumped in too soon. PQ203 has come up before here. If I remember correctly, it is a PDC that targets a receptor in cancer and releases the warhead by cleavage in an acid environment, namely the acid environment in the cancer. Off-target cleavage would cause side effects:
AI Overview
Acidic environments in the body include the stomach, the skin, and the bladder, all of which utilize a low pH for crucial functions like digestion and protection from microbes. Other potentially acidic areas are the vagina and urine, also serving protective roles. These acidic conditions are vital for specific physiological processes and are maintained through sophisticated buffering and regulatory systems, such as the body's ability to manage carbon dioxide levels through breathing.
Specific Acidic Environments
Skin: The skin has a natural pH between 4 and 6.5. This "acidic mantle" provides a protective barrier against harmful microbes and infections.
Bladder and Vaginal Area: Similar to the skin, these areas are also naturally acidic to protect against the overgrowth of invading microorganisms and maintain their health.
Urine: The pH of urine can vary significantly (4.6 to 8.0), but an acidic range helps limit the growth of bacteria in the urinary tract.
AI Overview
Acid environments in disease occur in two primary forms: Metabolic acidosis, where the body produces or retains too much acid (like in diabetic ketoacidosis or severe diarrhea), and Respiratory acidosis, where the lungs fail to remove enough carbon dioxide, leading to increased acidity (seen in conditions like severe chronic lung disease). Other diseases, such as Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD), can also be linked to abnormal acid exposure, particularly in the esophagus.
More details about acid environments in disease here: https://www.google.com/search?q=what+acid+environments+are+there+in+diseases