Drug discoveries raise profile of cancer chemotherapy
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Under Alexander Haddow's
direction, the ICR's research in chemotherapy
expanded significantly. |
1950s: Three major cancer drugs developed at the ICR
The first effective chemotherapy agent, Busulphan (Myleran)
was synthesised by Timmis and found to be effective in the
treatment of chronic myeloid leukaemia. In a large scale clinical
trial in the 1950s and 1960s this drug was shown to be at
least as effective as radiotherapy.
Chlorambucil, an oral alkylating agent, developed by J. Walter
Ross in the 1950s, is still used today for lymphomas and leukaemia.
Melphalan, another alkylating agent developed by Stock and
Bergel, is also used in the clinic fifty years after its discovery.
1980s: Platinum compounds enter cancer therapy
Cisplatin was discovered by accident by US scientists and
although effective against many tumours it produces serious
side-effects. Scientists from the ICR such as Professors
Ken Harrap and Tom Connors, Clinician Dr Hilary Calvert and
Hospital Consultant Dr Eve Wiltshaw recognised its potential
but also the need for a less toxic alternative. In collaboration
with the pharmaceutical company Johnson Matthey plc the ICR
scientists developed a series of second generation compounds,
of which carboplatin was selected as the lead. It is as effective
as cisplatin but without causing the severe renal toxicity,
nausea and vomiting associated with cisplatin. In 1991 the
Queens Award for Technological Achievement was awarded to
the ICR, the Hospital and Johnson Matthey for the design,
testing and production of Carboplatin.
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History:
From humble beginnings...
ICR milestones:
Smoking and cancer
Drug discoveries
New approaches
The 21st Century
*Updated
Further reading
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