The Indian government has unveiled a new ‘smart’ cancer drug that aims to replace traditional chemotherapy. Announced on Thursday, this breakthrough treatment is designed to target cancer cells more effectively while minimizing damage to healthy cells in the body. This advancement is expected to significantly improve the quality of life for cancer patients across the country.
“Cancer treatment often damages healthy cells along with cancer cells, causing significant associated adverse effects and side effects. Indian healthcare is facing a mounting pressure on account of rising cancer cases. The most common types include breast, oral cavity, lung, cervical, and colorectal cancers. Many of these cancers have been attributed to lifestyle, food habits and use of tobacco.
It said the smart cancer drug, named RK-251, was formulated after collaborative research led by Dr Asis Bala from the Institute of Advanced Study in Science and Technology (IASST), and Dr KP Bhabak of Indian Institute of Technology-Guwahati. Detailing on the mechanism of the RK-251 smart drug, the government said the cancer cells often produce ‘high levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS), which are harmful molecules. India records over 1.4 million new cancer cases and more than 700,000 deaths annually, according to the Indian Journal of Medicine.
The government said the ‘smart’ cancer drug has been designed to switch on and work only inside cancer cells, sparing the healthy cells from damage. This has created a need for targeted therapies that remain inactive in normal tissues while it travels through the body and become activated specifically at tumor sites,” the government said in a statement.
