New research by Tata Memorial Hospital led to the development of a ₹100 tablet that reduces the side effects of chemotherapy and prevents the resurgence of cancer.
In an interview with NDTV, Dr Rajendra Badwe, who is the Director of the Tata Memorial Centre, said that finding a cure to cancer has been an elusive target so far. However, it may not be too far with the groundbreaking research by Tata that claims to have found the potential drug which will not only keep the cancer cells from resurfacing but is also affordable at the price of ₹100 a tablet.
He added that the tablet will reduce the side effects of cancer treatment therapy along with prevention of resurgence or relapse of cancer.
Dr. Badwe revealed that for nearly a decade, Tata Memorial Hospital (TMH) doctors have been dedicated to researching a tablet aimed at mitigating the side effects of cancer treatment. Expected to receive approval from the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) in June-July, this tablet holds promise in reducing chemotherapy side effects by 50% and decreasing the likelihood of cancer relapse by 30%. Described as the most cost-effective cancer treatment thus far by the institute, its potential impact is substantial.
A comprehensive study conducted by TMH doctors over ten years discovered that cancer cells, upon dying from chemotherapy and radiotherapy, release cell-free chromatin particles that can induce healthy cells to become cancerous. This finding prompted the exploration of a pro-oxidant combination of resveratrol and copper, which proved effective in neutralizing chromatin and managing toxicity in chemotherapy patients, as reported by Hindustan Times.
Dr Indraneel Mittra, the lead scientist behind the TMH research, explained how their experiments involving human breast cancer cells implanted in mice elucidated the impact of different cancer treatments on chromatin levels. Remarkably, a combination of resveratrol and copper demonstrated the ability to inhibit chromatin formation and prevent metastasis when administered orally.
Looking ahead, Dr Mittra emphasized the necessity of human trials to optimize treatment outcomes, echoing the sentiments of Dr. Badwe, who highlighted the potential benefits for both patients and the broader Indian population.
In related developments, Russian President Vladimir Putin recently announced significant progress in the development of cancer vaccines by Russian scientists, promising hope for future cancer treatment options.
Dr. Badwe underscored the groundbreaking nature of the research, shedding light on the mechanisms underlying metastasis that had long eluded scientific understanding. However, despite these advancements, the practical implementation of the new treatment to prevent cancer resurgence may still be a few years away, with Dr. Badwe estimating a timeline of 5-6 years for clinical trials.
