Researchers in Britain have developed a drug they say could
revolutionize the effectiveness of radiation on cancer.
Radiotherapy is used to destroy cancer cells by zapping their
DNA, thus disrupting their ability to function and reproduce.
But like other cells in the body, cancer cells have a sort of
DNA repair kit that can minimize these effects. The new drug
disables the DNA repair process and allows radiotherapy to
target tumors with “deadly accuracy.” From Newcastle University:
New drug could help target cancer cells with deadly accuracy A
new drug that could revolutionise the impact of radiotherapy on
cancer and make treatment much more effective, has been
developed by Cancer Research UK scientists at Newcastle
University. The drug, developed by the charity’s clinical unit
at the University, has been designed to destroy the protection
enjoyed by cancer cells. Radiotherapy kills cancer cells by
causing damage to DNA. But the DNA damage repair kit ? the
body’s Sir Lancelot which is present in all cells ? r