No side effects

Red Light Kills Tumors with New Drug without Damaging Healthy Tissues

Sergey Kolenov, Hi-tech+

Most existing cancer drugs are indiscriminate. This means that simultaneously with malignant cells, they also kill healthy ones, which is fraught with serious side effects.

Researchers from the City University of Hong Kong have developed a drug that is devoid of this drawback. A drug called forbiplatin begins to act only after activation by red light. Thus, by directing a stream of light at the tumor, it is possible to destroy cancer cells without damaging healthy tissues.

Article by Wang et al. Phorbiplatin, a Highly Potent Pt(IV) Antitumor Prodrug That Can Be Controllably Activated by Red Light is published in the journal Chem – VM.

As reported by Science Daily, forbiplatin is a low molecular weight compound of tetravalent platinum. In the dark, it is inert, but exposure to light with a wavelength of 650 nm leads to its restoration to oxaliplatin and pyropheophorbide – effective antitumor agents. The presence of catalysts is not required.

Figure from the article in Chem – VM.

Unlike ultraviolet radiation, which is used to activate some other anti-cancer drugs, including those containing platinum, red light is absolutely safe for the body. In addition, it penetrates better through the tissues.

Experiments with cell cultures have shown that forbiplatin destroys 68% of the cells of platinum-sensitive ovarian cancer. In addition, it fights breast cancer 1,786 times more effectively than the standard form of oxaliplatin, and with platinum–resistant ovarian cancer - 974 times. 

Experiments with mice also confirmed the effectiveness and safety of the new drug. In the near future, the team plans to continue safety tests and prepare preclinical trials.

Portal "Eternal youth" http://vechnayamolodost.ru