A new and potentially groundbreaking development has been made in finding a potential cure for cancer, and whaddya know – it’s all happening in our own bloody backyard.
A group of scientists at the Centenary Institute – part of Royal Prince Alfred Hospital in Camperdown are in the process of creating a drug that’d block the natural growth of cancer cells. This all happened because Jeff Holst – an associate professor at the Institute who has a very kind face – discovered that some cancer cells feed off the amino acid glutamine that is found in healthy cells, and it’s the only way they can thrive.
MetaBloQ Pharmaceuticals: Backed by CSIRO, MRCF to fund breakthrough glutamine cancer trial led by Centenary Institute’s A/Prof Jeff Holst.
— medify (@medifydaily) March 6, 2017
I am the least science-y goon out there, but Holst broke it down a bit – that he realised, with his team of beautiful science mates, “if we are able to specifically block the supply of nutrients to cancer cells by inhibiting the function of this protein, we can essentially ‘starve’ the cells and stop them from growing”.
And considering they’ve been able to identify exactly which molecules can block the flow of protein, it looks like they’re in with a darn good chance. The molecules in question would be the main ingredient of the drugs the Institute hopes to make available.
While clinical trials are still only being contemplated – and look to be as long as three years away – it’s all very exciting, and Holst reckons it could combat the most aggressive and pervasive forms of cancer that for now can only be treated with chemotherapy.
You can watch the news on Channel 10 tonight for an interview with Holst, if you’re keen – and I highly recommend checking out the Institute’s Facebook page either way, ‘cos it’s pic after pic of adorkable scientists participating in sausage sizzles and marathons, and it’s all a bit too much.
Prof Jeff Holst will be on @Tennews tonight at 5pm, explaining how new drugs will starve cancer cells. @NBCFAus @Sydney_Uni @CSIROnews pic.twitter.com/aND162pjuu
— Centenary Institute (@CentenaryInst) March 7, 2017
Fingers crossed these legends get the breakthrough they deserve.
Source: 9 News.
Photo: Breaking Bad.
