Researchers have discovered that a precious metal which has never before been used in a medical context could be a valuable anti-cancer agent, it was confirmed on Friday (5th December).

The team of scientists from the University of Warwick found that osmium - which is closely related to platinum - could be used to treat the disease in the form of the drug cisplatin.

As a result, the researchers have joined forces with Warwick Ventures, the university's technology transfer office, as they attempt to find partners to conduct further biological tests on the metal.

Professor Peter Sadler, from the university's chemistry department, has been aided by post-graduate researcher Sabine van Rijt in the quest to pinpoint potential compounds using osmium.

Ms van Rijt explained that the tests have focused on how compounds interact with DNA in cancer cells and that they believe that the metal could be combined particularly effectively with platinum.

She said: "Another advantage is that these compounds are not cross-resistant with platinum. They kill the cancerous cells in a different way, so they could be used alongside platinum in combination therapies."

The team are set to present their findings today at the national university technology showcase event, 'Biodiversity'.



Source:

Precious metal could lead to next generation of cancer treatments (08/12/08)
http://www.innovationsreport.de/html/berichte/biowissenschaften_chemie/precious_metal_lead_generation_cancer_treatments_123911.html