The molecule skews the Bcl-2 gene's messages to the cell and the anticancer drug deals a final damaging blow to the cell's ability to repair itself. We now know there are several cancer-related genes that are overly active. Forty patients will participate in the Phase I study, which is being funded by the BC Cancer Agency.
Candidates have prostate cancer that has spread and is resistant to hormone therapy.
Because similar cell behaviour happens in many forms of cancer, the new drug combination could lead to less-invasive treatments for many patients. B.C. researchers developed the drug therapy with Genta Pharmaceuticals in San Diego, California, the company that developed the synthetic molecule. Klasa and Dr. Kim Nguyen Chi of the BC Cancer Agency's Division of Medical Oncology and Department of Advanced Therapeutics are the chief investigators. Chi will oversee the care of patients on the trial. New methods of fighting this disease are desperately needed.