‘Exciting results’ from new cancer treatment tests on mice

Early tests of a revolutionary drug and radiation cancer treatment invented by British scientists have proved dramatically successful, it was revealed today.

Laboratory mice genetically engineered to grow human tumours were completely cured in 85% of cases.

More than nine months after the treatment was stopped there was no evidence of any residual cancer in the animals.

One half of the treatment consists of a drug called combretastatin, derived from the bark of the African bush willow, which targets newly forming blood vessels that nourish tumours.

The other comprises antibodies that have been tagged with a radioactive ‘‘warhead’’ which they ferry into cancer cells.

The therapy was pioneered by Cancer Research Campaign scientists at the Royal Free Hospital, London, and the Gray Laboratory Cancer Research Trust, based at Mount Vernon Hospital, Northwood, Middlesex.

Human clinical trials are expected to begin next year. If successful they could lead to the treatment being available in five years.

Professor Richard Begent, head of oncology at the Royal Free, said: ‘‘Combretastatin has been given to patients on its own before but the response has not been very good. In most cases, the cancer continues to grow.

‘‘But when you put the two treatments together it’s then possible in these animals to cure the cancer completely with just a single treatment.

‘‘It is rather exciting, and we’re now working towards carrying out some clinical trials with the Cancer Research Campaign.’’