Mainland Chinese drug effective in treating 3 cancer types: Hong Kong-led study
CUHK researchers say drug D3S-001 can treat non-small cell lung, colorectal and pancreatic cancers triggered by gene mutation KRAS-G12C
University researchers said on Monday that the novel drug, D3S-001, had shown promising results in treating non-small cell lung, colorectal and pancreatic cancers triggered by the gene mutation KRAS-G12C during its phase one clinical trial.
The drug is said to be a “next-generation” inhibitor for the gene mutation, which can currently only be targeted using a limited number of therapeutic options.
“It does inhibit KRAS-G12C at a quicker rate [than a first-generation inhibitor] and most likely at a longer duration as well,” said Dr Herbert Loong Ho-fung, an associate professor at CUHK’s clinical oncology department.
“This is demonstrated in the laboratory and certainly in our clinical trials. We’re also seeing signals of this in our patients.”
Researchers said KRAS gene mutations were common contributing factors in solid tumours including non-small cell lung, colorectal and pancreatic cancers, with KRAS-G12C being the most prevalent subtype.