2024, August 14
Share this articleClinical trials continue for an anti-cancer drug developed by a team of NU scientists led by Kazakh-American biologist and professor Dos Sarbassov.
In partnership with the Kazakh Research Institute of Oncology and Radiology scientists work to determine the optimal, most tolerated drug dose to increase its effectiveness. The first stage of clinical trials, which administered the drug in small doses to 15 patients, proved its effectiveness. The second stage of testing, including preclinical trials, began on July 1, General Director of the National Laboratory Astana and NU Professor Dos Sarbassov told journalists during a press briefing organized by the university.
"We have already received approval to increase the dose of the D-VC drug to 0.65 grams. We are waiting for funding, and after receiving it, we will continue the study. As of July 1, patients are taking the increased dose of D-VC. We are also returning to the first phase to check the toxicity. This year, we want to make sure that there is no toxic effect of the high dose", - the scientist said.
The drug acts as a targeted chemotherapy. It causes mutated cancer cells (KRAS-mutant cells) to self-destruct by combining a high dose of the D-form of vitamin C (D-VC) with arsenic trioxide (ATO) at a low concentration.
Over the past three years, the team has proved the validity of the research and received targeted funding for clinical trials from the Kazakh Ministry of Science and Higher Education in 2022. A limited batch of D-formula vitamin C (DV-C) was produced for the first time at a pharmacological plant in Almaty. The second component — arsenic oxide required for the trials was purchased in India.
The drug has already been patented. NU has an exclusive license for D-VC.
