Auckland scientists on cusp of ‘exciting’ new cancer drug
University of Auckland scientists have developed a new cancer drug that shows high cure rates in laboratory models by converting 'cold' tumors into 'hot' ones. The team has formed a company called Stave Therapeutics and aims to begin clinical trials within two years.
Why it matters
This research offers a potential breakthrough in immunotherapy, aiming to improve long-term survival rates for patients with lung and other cancers.
A new cancer treatment drug that has shown a 30 to 60% cure rate in laboratory models of cancer is cause for excitement for a University of Auckland team of scientists.
The team has carried out early experiments on a new cancer drug which they say has displayed precisely that level of promise.
The research is being led by Associate Professors Jeff Smaill and Adam Patterson from the Department of Cancer Sciences, and Malaghan Institute Professor Ian Hermans.
“It’s early days, but we’re seeing long-term eradication of cancer in lab experiments using this new drug,” says Assoc Prof Smaill.
“It’s exciting to see that once the cancer is cured, if we try to reintroduce the same type of cancer, it won’t establish a second time.
“So this treatment looks promising in terms of preventing relapse.”
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