The Life Sciences Report
News Medical
Tiny agents found in omega-3 could potentially be used to block the path of primary cancer tumors, preventing the advance to secondary-stage cancers according to pharmacy researchers at the University of Sydney.
Investigators in the Faculty of Pharmacy's Pharmacogenomics and Drug Development Group are using breast cancer tissue cells to gauge the blocking capacity of the omega-3 agents called epoxides on cancer cell movement.
Dr Michael Murray, Professor of Pharmogenetics at the university, says a major life-threatening consequence of malignant breast tumors is metastasis where the disease has spread to distant sites (or tissues) and at present there are no treatments.
He led his team to the discovery of the anti-metastatic actions of epoxides, which are produced within the body from omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids. The ground-breaking work has led Murray and his Drug Development Group deeper into the molecular structure of the omega-3 agents.
Professor Murray says:
"These agents are a bit like frontline soldiers blocking the assault of an invading army and now we want to advance our research which was published late last year and apply it to breast cancer cells."
"We know that epidemiological studies have reported that dietary intake of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids including eicosapentaenoic and docosahexaenoic acids, decrease the risk of certain cancers. And many of us are including sources of omega-3 such as tuna and salmon in our diet as a precaution."
"The major objective of our new project is to speed the development of anti-metastatic agents based on omega-3 epoxides and trial their effectiveness in vivo on breast cancer tissue."
"Longer term we are aiming to develop a completely new class of anti-metastatic drugs designed to inhibit the spread of primary cancers," Murray says. . .View Full Article
Notable Quotes
"CYTR's preclinical data for aldoxorubicin has been very supportive, and its phase 1b/2 trial has shown quite promising, albeit early stage, efficacy." (6/13/13) CytRx Corp. - The Life Sciences Report Interview with Michael Aikenhead More >
"ATHX is an exciting story and definitely a company to watch." (6/6/13) Athersys Inc. - The Life Sciences Report Interview with Christian Glennie More >
"NEO has been able to continue to grow the topline nicely and maintain margins of more than 45%." (5/30/13) NeoGenomics Laboratories - The Life Science Report with Kevin DeGeeter More >
"OPK's 4Kscore is approved in Europe and should be approved in the U.S. sometime in 2013." (5/30/13) OPKO Health Inc. - The Life Science Report with Kevin DeGeeter More >
"CTH is very early in the game with a very good and relatively derisked idea." (5/30/13) Cynapsus Therapeutics Inc. - The Life Science Report with Ori Hershkovitz More >
Fatty Acids Fight Cancer Spread
Source: News Medical (4/9/12)
"Tiny agents found in omega-3 could potentially be used to block the path of primary cancer tumors, preventing the advance to secondary-stage cancers."
More Experts
"BTI's Transcend platform is a huge financial incentive to the owner of the therapy because it could greatly extend the drug's exclusivity." (5/16/13) biOasis Technologies Inc. - The Life Sciences Report Interview with William Gregozeski More >
"ATHX is a neat little company that has a great management team and deep science bench." (5/10/13) Athersys Inc. - The Life Sciences Report Interview with Jason Kolbert More >
"MSLP was growing very fast, and it had significant events that made it possible for us to raise $12M for it." (4/25/13) MusclePharm Corp. - The Life Sciences Report Interview with Richard Huebner More >
"What's particularly exciting about VNRX is that it believes its technology is able to identify targeted cancers in stage 1 and stage 2." (4/25/13) VolitionRx Ltd. - The Life Sciences Report Interview with Dick Huebner More >
"ATHX's partnership with Pfizer Inc. puts it in a remarkable position." (4/11/13) Athersys Inc. - The Life Sciences Report Interview with Steve Brozak More >