In a great news for cancer patients the Tata Memorial Centre (TMC) has reportedly found an affordable way to stop recurrence of cancer. According to the research only a tablet that costs Rs 100 will be helpful to prevent cancer recurrence. The tablet is expected to be available in the market by June-July this year.
According to reports, researchers at the Tata Memorial Centre (TMC) in Mumbai claimed to have discovered a treatment to prevent relapse of cancer that would cost only Rs 100.
The study on mice showed that the pill, named ‘R+Cu’, containing a pro-oxidant combination of resveratrol and copper, generated oxygen radicals in the stomach to curb cancer recurrence.
In a post on X, Dr. Rajeev Jayadevan, Co-Chairman National IMA Covid Task Force called it “an exaggerated claim”. While calling the research “interesting, praiseworthy”, he said it cannot be seen as “cancer cure.”
Dr Shyam Aggarwal explained that the research shows the effect of cell-free chromatin (fragments of chromosomes released from cancer cells after chemotherapy) on normal tissues causing a cascade of inflammation leading to side effects such as mucositis, low blood counts, etc.
“Use of a combination of copper and resveratrol (a commercially-available nutraceutical) has been shown to degrade circulating cell-free chromatin, leading to reduction of toxicity in some human studies. Other human studies are underway,” he said.
The study claims that the pill can halve the side effects caused by chemotherapy, while also reducing the odds of getting cancer by 30 per cent.
The researchers “used a pro-oxidant combination of copper and resveratrol (found in peanuts, cocoa, grapes) known to damage DNA by generating oxygen radicals,” Dr. Rajeev Jayadevan wrote in his post on X.
“Whether this will translate into real world outcomes for people with cancer (beyond mice), what toxicities could occur from its pro-oxidant, DNA-damaging effect, is yet to be determined,” he said.
However, Dr. Rahul Bhargava, Principal Director & Chief BMT, Fortis Memorial Research Institute, Gurugram, called it “a great breakthrough in the field of medical research. Indian researchers are creating history. If the drug works, it will be a great benefit for cancer patients.”
The tablet is awaiting approval from the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) and is expected to be available in the market by June-July.
(With inputs from IANS)
