COULD PD173074 CURE LUNG CANCER? Tumour-killing drug.Byline: EMILY COOK HEALTH A DRUG that shrinks lung cancer tumours has been developed by scientists. In trials, the drug - known as PD173074 - destroyed tumours in 50% of mice. In other animals, it stopped tumours from growing and becoming resistant to chemotherapy treatment. Researchers at Imperial College London History Imperial College was founded in 1907, with the merger of the City and Guilds College, the Royal School of Mines and the Royal College of Science (all of which had been founded between 1845 and 1878) with these entities continuing to exist as "constituent colleges". are now hoping to test the drug on humans. If successful, the treatment could save thousands of lives every year. The drug targets small cell lung cancer Lung Cancer, Small Cell Definition Small cell lung cancer is a disease in which the cells of the lung tissues grow uncontrollably and form tumors. Description Lung cancer is divided into two main types: small cell and non-small cell. , an inoperable inoperable /in·op·er·a·ble/ (in-op´er-ah-b'l) not susceptible to treatment by surgery. in·op·er·a·ble adj. Unsuitable for a surgical procedure. form of the disease which affects one in five sufferers. The tumours spread so quickly it is rarely possible to remove them with surgery. Instead, patients are treated with chemotherapy or radiotherapy. But tumours often grow back rapidly and become resistant to treatment. The College's Professor Michael Seckl said: "Our new research in mice suggests it may be possible to develop the drug PD173074 into a new targeted therapy for small cell lung cancer." Victims of lung cancer include entertainer Roy Castle. The Record Breakers host died in 1994 just two days after his 62nd birthday. He had battled against the disease for two and a half years. CAPTION(S): VICTIM Roy Castle |
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