Drug could halt fatal tumours

Auckland University head researcher and associate professor Michael Hay said the breakthrough could boost survival rates and reduce the debilitating side effects of traditional therapies. File photo / Glenn Jeffrey

A ground-breaking cancer drug developed at Auckland University could revolutionise the treatment of previously fatal tumours.

The drug targets super-resistant "hypoxic" (oxygen-starved) cancer cells found in the outer-lying areas of some tumours without damaging healthy tissue.

It has been bought by a US pharmaceutical giant and clinical trials are set to begin.

Head researcher and associate professor Michael Hay said the breakthrough could boost survival rates and reduce the debilitating side effects of traditional therapies.

Unlike its prototypes, the drug - CEN-209 - spreads deep in the tumour to destroy cancerous cells far away from the blood vessels.

Hypoxic tumour cells are found in some head, neck, lung and prostate cancers. About half of all lung cancer cases could benefit from the treatment.

"We hope to be able to eradicate the whole tumour to the extent that some patients may well be cured and, in others, we will be able to control the tumour better," Hay said.

The researchers are also developing an imaging device that creates 3D pictures of tumours.

CEN-209 is the result of 10 years' work at the university's Cancer Society Research Centre, with help from the faculty of medical and health science.

California-based Centella Therapeutics has bought the rights to develop, manufacture and trial the drug and is working with Cancer Research UK, one of the world's leading cancer charities.

"We haven't had the chance to sit down and say 'this is fantastic'," Hay said.

'It's been such a struggle over the last few years to raise capital to get the thing going. We've still got a lot of work ahead of us to get it to registration but we're very pleased about it."

Clinical trials will begin in 12-18 months in the UK. Hay said there was not enough money available to conduct the trials in New Zealand.

"It's a difficult area to be in. It's very specialised and hasn't attracted the attention of the big pharmaceutical companies."

The first phase of a clinical trial can cost up to $10 million.

I'm thrilled, says Marie

After a near-fatal battle with bowel cancer, Marie Harris is thrilled by Auckland University's breakthrough.

"I think it's amazing," said the 74-year-old. "New Zealand is ahead of the world in a lot of this research. We're the ones coming up with a lot of these ideas."

Harris' cancer is in remission after three bouts of debilitating chemotherapy.

"I am fine now, but you never say you're totally cleared," she said.

Now the grandmother dedicates much of her time to the Cancer Society and Look Good Feel Better, a charity that aims to keep women positive through their treatment.

"I get a lot of pleasure out of helping others going through this," she said.