Pancreatic cancer therapy 'hope'

Researchers in the UK at Cancer Research Technology Ltd and in the US at MD Anderson Cancer Center have been doing studies concerning pancreatic and lung tumors formed by these respective cancers. They are interested in these types of cancers because they are relatively common among the various cancers, but have a sufficient lack in medical treatment. What they discovered and have been working on is a drug that targets PKD, which is a kinase involved in signals travelling across cell membranes. PKD is also involved with the formation of new blood vessels and cell survival. The hopeful drug targets and inhibits PKD. This is a hopeful treatment of the tumors since it can inhibit the growth of cells and consequently the growth of the tumors, and it could halt the growth of new blood vessels which would also inhibit teh growth of teh tumors. Scientists are very hopeful about the development of this drug and its possibilities it shows. The drug CRT0066101, has been tested in mice and stopped the growth of tumors in the pancreas and lungs. Human trials are set to begin soon. The researchers are hopeful that this drug could become a treatment for many different tumor-based cancers.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/8004980.stm