New drug starves tumours

A new drug that cuts blood flow to tumours, starving them of necessary nutrients, is being trialled.

The phase one clinical trial of the drug L-NNA is taking place at the Mount Vernon Cancer Centre in north-west London on 40 patients with advanced tumours. It aims to establish the correct drug dose that should be used for patients in the future.

The drug blocks a protein called nitric oxide synthase which constricts the vessels supplying blood to cancers. Blocking this protein may reduce the delivery of nutrients via blood vessels to cancer cells, thus impeding their growth.

Cancer Research UK’s Drug Development Office (DDO) is funding and managing the trial.

Chief investigator, Professor Peter Hoskin, at the Mount Vernon Cancer Centre, said: “All cancers rely on the delivery of vital nutrients and oxygen through blood vessels – without a blood supply, a tumour can’t grow beyond the size of a pin head.

“Scientists across the world are looking for ways to prevent cancer cells from receiving the supplies they depend on to grow and divide.”

Dr Nigel Blackburn, director of drug development at Cancer Research UK’s DDO, said: “Our scientists are at the forefront of research to find new ways to reduce and block the delivery of oxygen and nutrients to tumour cells.

“This is a promising area of research – there are already drugs available which can reduce the growth of blood vessels being used to treat people with certain types of cancer – and we’re looking forward to the early trial results of this new drug with great interest.”