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New drug shows promise in childhood cancer fight
A drug undergoing early tests has shown promising activity against childhood cancers, say researchers from the University of Manchester.
Addressing the National Cancer Research Institute conference in Birmingham, Scientists from Cancer Research UK's Paterson Institute said that the drug RH1 can kill tumour cells from neuroblastoma, osteosarcoma and Ewing's sarcoma, three childhood cancers that are often resistant to chemotherapy.
Healthy cells in the body have a 'suicide mechanism' that becomes active when cells are damaged or grow uncontrollably. In cancer cells this mechanism fails to work, and treatment is needed to encourage the process.
Cancer survival rates among children and adolescents have been improving in recent years, but Cancer Research UK (CRUK) says that new drugs are needed to combat resistance to existing treatments.
In pre-clinical trials, the institute's researchers found that even very low doses of RH1 increased cancer cell death by around 50%. Clinical trials are now being planned by CRUK's drug development office.
'Survival rates for children with cancer are already high at 75%,' said Dr Bruce Morland, chairman of the Children's Cancer and Leukaemia Group. 'But in many cases, patients become resistant to their drugs and need new options.'
Category: Healthcare
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