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Breast cancer hope over cheap drugs | Breast cancer hope over cheap drugs |
(10 minutes later) | |
A combination of two inexpensive existing drugs may offer a new way to treat breast cancer, according to UK and Finnish researchers. | A combination of two inexpensive existing drugs may offer a new way to treat breast cancer, according to UK and Finnish researchers. |
The common chemotherapy drug and a brittle bone medicine almost completely stopped the growth of tumours in mice. | The common chemotherapy drug and a brittle bone medicine almost completely stopped the growth of tumours in mice. |
The Journal of the National Cancer Institute said the combination cost a twentieth of Herceptin, given to breast cancer patients by the NHS. | The Journal of the National Cancer Institute said the combination cost a twentieth of Herceptin, given to breast cancer patients by the NHS. |
Specialists said the results of human trials now under way would be crucial. | |
The results of this study could change the way breast cancer patients are treated Pamela GoldbergBreast Cancer Campaign | The results of this study could change the way breast cancer patients are treated Pamela GoldbergBreast Cancer Campaign |
In the UK, almost 46,000 new cases of breast cancer are diagnosed each year. | In the UK, almost 46,000 new cases of breast cancer are diagnosed each year. |
Although modern treatments mean that cases caught sufficiently early, some via breast screening programmes, have an excellent chance of being successfully treated. | Although modern treatments mean that cases caught sufficiently early, some via breast screening programmes, have an excellent chance of being successfully treated. |
The study was a joint project between researchers at the University of Sheffield and the Kuopio University in Finland. | The study was a joint project between researchers at the University of Sheffield and the Kuopio University in Finland. |
Its findings could offer an even more effective way to help some patients. | Its findings could offer an even more effective way to help some patients. |
It used a dose of the drug doxorubicin, a common component of chemotherapy regimes, followed 24 hours later by zoledronic acid, currently given to osteoporosis patients. | It used a dose of the drug doxorubicin, a common component of chemotherapy regimes, followed 24 hours later by zoledronic acid, currently given to osteoporosis patients. |
In the mice, this stopped 99.99% of new cancer cell growth in tumours. | In the mice, this stopped 99.99% of new cancer cell growth in tumours. |
It is thought the first drug could be "priming" the tumour to be more sensitive to the cancer-cell killing qualities of the second drug. | It is thought the first drug could be "priming" the tumour to be more sensitive to the cancer-cell killing qualities of the second drug. |
Dr Ingunn Holen, who led the study, said that the study showed that the drug cocktail could "kill breast tumours". | Dr Ingunn Holen, who led the study, said that the study showed that the drug cocktail could "kill breast tumours". |
"These results show that a patient may benefit the most if these two drugs are given in this particular order." | "These results show that a patient may benefit the most if these two drugs are given in this particular order." |
She said that the results of a human trial were expected later this year. | She said that the results of a human trial were expected later this year. |
Speed advantage | Speed advantage |
If that proves successful, the drugs would not have to undergo a lengthy licensing process, simply have the change of use included in their current licence. | If that proves successful, the drugs would not have to undergo a lengthy licensing process, simply have the change of use included in their current licence. |
Breast Cancer Campaign, the charity which funded the study, said it was encouraged by the potential for the drug to be made swiftly available to women. | Breast Cancer Campaign, the charity which funded the study, said it was encouraged by the potential for the drug to be made swiftly available to women. |
Its chief executive, Pamela Goldberg, said: "The results of this study could change the way breast cancer patients are treated. | Its chief executive, Pamela Goldberg, said: "The results of this study could change the way breast cancer patients are treated. |
"The good news is the that the two treatments are relatively inexpensive and already used in the clinic." | "The good news is the that the two treatments are relatively inexpensive and already used in the clinic." |
A spokesman for Cancer Research UK said that a study in humans would be important. | A spokesman for Cancer Research UK said that a study in humans would be important. |
"Establishing the most effective combinations of drug treatments and the timings in which they are given is an important area of clinical research. | "Establishing the most effective combinations of drug treatments and the timings in which they are given is an important area of clinical research. |
"But the benefits of giving zoledronic acid after doxorubicin have only been shown here in mice and now need to be evaluated more fully in people with breast cancer." | "But the benefits of giving zoledronic acid after doxorubicin have only been shown here in mice and now need to be evaluated more fully in people with breast cancer." |
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