Testing of new cancer drugs can take up to two years

On August 28, Vladimir Koval, Director of the Institute of Biochemistry and Fundamental Medicine of the Russian Academy of Sciences, announced to the press that the second phase of clinical trials of Russia's first virus-based cancer treatment drug is expected to begin later this year. The trials could take about 1.5-2 years.

The testing phase of a new virus-based cancer drug could take up to two years. (Photo: TASS)

This is the information he shared at the XII International Technology Development Forum "Technoprom" held in Novosibirsk, Russia.

Last October, the institute also reported the successful completion of the first phase of clinical trials of a breast cancer drug. The trial not only confirmed the drug's safety but also demonstrated its effectiveness in inhibiting tumor growth.

"The cost of the second phase of clinical trials is about half a billion rubles. This is the stage of research on the mechanism and clinical approach, so it will take at least 1.5-2 years," said Vladimir Koval.

The institute's director also said that scientists hope to start the research this year. The research will be conducted at the same location as the first phase, with a focus on the Petrov Oncology Center in Saint Petersburg.

Previously, patients with advanced breast cancer who participated in the trial saw tumor size decrease and treatment stability in about 55% of patients after taking the drug.

The Institute of Fundamental Biology and Medicine, Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, the Vector Center of Rospotrebnadzor, in cooperation with Oncostar LLC (a company based in Skolkovo), developed the drug.

The drug is based on a recombinant strain of the smallpox virus, VV-GMCSF-Lact. Scientists removed two regions responsible for the virus's virulence from the virus's genome and instead inserted genes that enhance the virus's cancer-killing activity.

For the first time in the world , a gene encoding a protein that kills cancer cells has been incorporated into an anti-tumor drug. Clinical trials of the drug, the first of its kind, are set to begin in Russia in 2022.

To fight cancer, trials have recently begun using so-called oncolytic viruses, which are modified so that they lack the genes that cause the most unpleasant symptoms of viral infection, and instead insert genes that stimulate anti-cancer immunity.

This modified virus essentially invades cancer cells and kills them. The virus then stimulates the patient's own immune system, and the body begins to fight the cancer cells.

The XII International Technological Development Forum "Technoprom" was held in Novosibirsk from August 27 to 30, with the main theme being "Science, Human Resources, Industry: Key Factors of Technological Leadership".

THUY VAN

People's Newspaper reporter based in Russia

Source: https://nhandan.vn/giai-doan-thu-nghiem-thuoc-dieu-tri-ung-thu-moi-co-the-mat-toi-hai-nam-post904425.html