Revolutionary Auckland Cancer Drug Begins Clinical Trial

Auckland, 22.08.22 – The Cancer Society has yet again
renewed its commitment to funding valuable research right
here in New Zealand, with a cancer drug developed in
Auckland set to begin clinical trials during
August.

New Zealand ranks with one of the world’s
highest incidence rates for head and neck cancers, with
around 500 to 550 new cases diagnosed each year. Worldwide
about one million cases are detected
annually.

Tarloxotinib is a revolutionary cancer drug
designed to help patients with head and neck cancers combat
resistance to conventional therapies caused by low oxygen
levels (hypoxia) within regions of existing tumours. The
drug releases an ‘inhibitor’ in areas of low oxygen, a
substance to activate the treatment response and allow
treatment to be effective.

Researchers are now
recruiting patients for the Tarloxotinib/SBRT trial, which
is a collaboration between the Auckland Cancer Society
Research Centre (ACSRC)
who developed the drug, and Auckland City Hospital, where
clinical trials will take place.

“This trial is both
a valuable window of opportunity study and a stepping stone
to a future therapeutic platform. It’s a great chance to
build trans-disciplinary research collaborations across many
areas”, says Dr Andrew Macann, Radiation Oncologist at
Auckland City Hospital.

Tarloxotinib has proven to
work well when combined with a cancer treatment called
stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT), which delivers
extremely precise, intense doses of radiation to cancer
cells. Researchers aim to evaluate the safety of this
combination in cancer patients prior to surgery, using MRI
imaging to measure the level of oxygen in tumours, and
comparing how well patients respond after the subsequent
surgery.

“It is exciting that our research has
demonstrated the therapeutic potential of combining
Tarloxotinib with radiotherapy”, says Dr Adam Patterson,
Associate Professor at the Auckland Cancer Society Research
Centre.

Cancer Society NZ National CE Lucy Elwood
agrees that this research is encouraging: “More New
Zealanders will be diagnosed with cancer this year than ever
before. These researchers are working tirelessly to ensure
no one goes through cancer alone by continuously developing,
testing and looking for better cancer treatments. We are
proud of Cancer Society Auckland Northland’s contribution
to innovative cancer research in New Zealand”.

This
Daffodil Day, Friday 26 August, the Cancer Society is
calling on the public to help them to invest in important
research such as this in the face of increased demand for
cancer support services in New Zealand. To donate now or
find out more, visit www.daffodilday.org.nz.

© Scoop Media