U.S. cancer researchers say they have synthesized a compound that works in a different way than existing agents to block tumor cell growth.
Kazunori Koide and colleagues at the University of Pittsburgh say the new compound is so potent that minute levels of 10 parts per trillion block the growth of tumor cells in laboratory experiments.
The parent compound, FR901464, inhibited the growth of cancer cells implanted into laboratory mice. Because of structural similarity between FR901464 and its analogue, meayamycin, the Koide group is cautiously optimistic meayamycin also will be effective against tumors in mice.
The amount that the Koide employed against cancer cells is equivalent to 10 seconds in 32,000 years or one packet of sugar in a coffee cup the size of 400 Olympic-size pools.
The report, which describes the compound as one of the most potent of all anti-cancer agents, is to appear in the March 7 issue of the Journal of the American Chemical Society. |