The National Health Research Institute yesterday unveiled its research on two new cancer-inhibiting drugs, known as SR13668 and SR16158, which could significantly lengthen the lives of cancer patients with fewer side-effects than other drugs.
The institute said that the two inhibitors have been effective in trials with mice. The year-long animal trials indicate that the SR13668 can remarkably slow down the activity of protein kinase AKT, an enzyme that triggers the proliferation of tumor cells.
"The protein kinase AKT plays a critical role in the battle against cancer," said Jacqueline Wang Peng (
"[Kinase AKT] protein's hyperactivity contributes to malignant tumors in breast cancer, ovarian cancer, lung cancer, liver cancer, and a host of others," Wang-peng said.
She also added that the SR13668 inhibitor significantly reduced the hyperactivity of the protein in trail testing.
The research suggested that the inhibitor SR13668 has the potential to save thousands of lives, Peng added. About 1,200 Taiwanese women die of breast cancer and 300 from ovarian cancer every year, according to Department of Health statistics. The official figures also showed that lung cancer claimed more than 7,000 lives every year.
"By slowing or stopping the growth of tumor cells, patients may live months or even years longer," Peng said.
Another new inhibitor, SR16158, could replace the current estrogen inhibitor used in treating breast cancer, since it does not have the side-effect of heightening blood sugar and cholesterol levels.
"SR16158 can significantly reduce the risk factors of cardiovascular diseases," Peng explained.
Human clinical trials for these two drugs will start next year. If clinical trials are successful, the drugs could be on the market by 2008, the institute said.
The project also involves the San Francisco-based Bridge Pharmaceuticals Inc, a subsidiary of SRI International. In forming a strategic partnership with Bridge, the institute hops to lure more US biotech companies to Taiwan and invigorate life science research here.
"The SRI ... is one of the world's largest non-profit contract research firms. A strategic partnership with it demonstrates our strength in local, independent research and pre-clinical drug development capabilities," the institute's president, Wu Cheng-wen (吳成文) said.
Wu also said the institute will cooperate with National Taiwan University Hospital and Taipei Veterans General Hospital in conducting clinical trials of SR13668 and SR16151. Other research institutions contracted by Bridge -- such as Taipei-based Development Center for Biotechnology (DCB) and Industrial Technology Research Institute (ITRI) -- may also participate in the project.
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