Scientists claim leukaemia treatment breakthrough

Published on Monday 2 November 2009 21:23

SCIENTISTS have discovered a new drug which they claim is able to kill leukaemia, it was revealed yesterday.

Researchers maintain that the drug, called PBOX-15, can even destroy the cancerous cells in adult patients with a poor prognosis and who have shown resistance to other treatments.

The groundbreaking study was carried out by academics at Trinity College Dublin (TCD), in partnership with University of Sienna, Italy.

Professor Mark Lawler, of TCD's school of medicine, said it could be another three to five years before the drug is used as a life-saving treatment.

"We are still at an early stage," he said. "Now we have to move it on to see if there are any side-effects and bring it forward as a potential therapy for patients.

"But it's very exciting… We want to give hope to cancer patients."

Prof Lawler revealed PBOX-15 attacked and broke down the skeleton in leukaemia cells in samples given by patients.

It was also successful when used in the treatment of Chronic Lymphocytic Leukaemia.