SINGAPORE:
Scientists from the National University
of Singapore (NUS) have discovered a way to kill cancer cells - by 'starving'
them of energy.
NUS
said on Thursday that the discovery paves the way for more effective cancer
treatment.
The
research revolves around a drug-led compound, BPTES.
The
scientists, who are from the Department of Biological Sciences and
Mechanobiology Institute, said the compound can deprive cancer cells of energy
and stop them from growing into a tumour.
The
compound is undergoing pre-clinical trials as a potential drug.
NUS
said this is the first time a research group has provided evidence showing how
a drug-led compound suppresses tumour formation.
Building
on the new findings, the NUS team also derived positive results for a dual-drug
treatment regime involving BPTES.
The
team found that it kills kidney and breast cancer cells more effectively.
NUS
said the next step is to conduct more studies to determine whether a
combination of drugs would be even more effective.
The
research team will also look into how it can make BPTES more efficient, as well
as ways to lower its side-effects.
-
CNA/cc
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