New Drug Therapy Attacks Cancers
01 July 2008 – A new targeted drug therapy developed at The Institute of Cancer Research is showing positive results in killing tumour cells of some common cancers in the laboratory, according to a pre-clinical study.
Lead investigator, Professor Caroline Springer said: "In the case of breast cancer models, the drug therapy proved effective in significantly reducing tumour size in an aggressive type of breast cancer." Professor Springer added: "It’s the first time this therapy has proved successful in killing melanoma, breast and bowel cancer models."
Published results show that three different prodrugs, designed and synthesised by researchers at The Institute are all effective in reducing the size of the melanoma, breast and colon carcinoma tumour models.
Summary of results:
- In the breast cancer model, the most effective therapy reduced the tumour volume significantly using any of the three prodrugs
- In the colorectal carcinoma model, there was a significant reduction in tumour volume using one prodrug
- In the melanoma model, there was a significant reduction in tumour volume using two prodrugs
