Scientists at the Institute of Nuclear Energy Research (INER) yesterday said they were encouraged by recent results of tests of a new drug aimed at fighting cancerous tumors.
The drug, which does not yet have a name, utilizes the chemical element Rhenium (Re188) and has so far been successfully tested on animals, INER Associate Head Lee Te-wei (李德偉) said.
“So far this drug has dramatically improved the survival rate of mice with terminal cancer,” he told a press conference yesterday.
The drug destroys tumors using a combination of chemotherapy and radionuclide therapy, he said.
While it has already been shown to be effective in treating terminal colorectal cancer in mice, the drug is still undergoing testing for its effect on other types such as breast and prostate cancer, Lee added.
The INER said that human testing is expected to start as an Investigational New Drug (IND) as early as 2011.
Lan Keng-li (藍耿立), a doctor from Taipei Veterans General Hospital who worked with Lee in testing the drug, said it compared favorably with other cancer treatments.
Lan said he was pleased with the drug’s development and excited about the next stage of testing.
In response to concerns raised over its safety and possible side effects, Lee said that the drug would use nano-targeting after being injected into the bloodstream to destroy tumors using beta particles, leaving other cells intact.
Lee added that animal testing has shown its side effects to be minimal, with just a few days of lowered white blood cell counts.
The INER said they hoped that the drug would be certified by the Department of Health within the next “five to six years.”
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