New Platinum-based Anti-tumor Compound Developed

Researchers at Wake Forest University and the Wake Forest University Health Sciences Comprehensive Cancer Center have developed a new class of platinum-based anti-tumor drugs. Animal studies have shown the new drug to be 10 times more effective than current treatments in destroying specific types of lung cancer cells.

The published results suggest a new approach to fighting certain types of cancer, accounting for more than three-quarters of all lung cancers. The new drug was shown to slow the growth of cancer substantially in mice. The new compound is effective due to its ability to rapidly bind with and disable a tumor cell’s DNA before the cell’s natural repair mechanisms are activated. That repair process causes drug resistance, which reduces the effectiveness of currently used platinum-based drugs.

The new drug is fast enough to stop the cells from repairing themselves. Research efforts will now be directed toward finding ways to improve the tumor-killing potency of the new compounds while reducing harmful side effects.

This is a great development in lung cancer treatment. Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths in both men and women. Less than a third of non-small cell lung cancer patients respond to traditional platinum-based therapies, and those who do respond have a median survival of less than a year. With these current statistics, it is obvious that a new, more effective treatment is needed. This new treatment is expected to give new hope to patients with this rapidly growing type of cancer.

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/02/090211193818.htm