Bioplatin, a nanoplatinum-based compound can stop the growth of human prostate cancer cells implanted in mice that lack an immune system1. This compound also alleviated the symptoms of patients with advanced metastatic cancers, researchers at Rasayani Biologics in Pune found.
Scientists, led by Yogesh Bendale, synthesised platinum nanoparticles and used these particles to produce a compound called Bioplatin.
They administered it to immune-deficient mice for four weeks before implanting human prostate cancer cells into them.
Bioplatin treatment reduced the number and size of tumours in the mice. In a phase 1 clinical trial, patients with advanced solid metastatic cancers, who had stopped responding to conventional therapies, were treated with the compound at a maximum tolerated oral dose.
The patients showed no adverse reactions to the compound, suggesting that it can be used to treat platinum-sensitive tumours and check cancer relapse. Taken orally, it can be easily taken at home, potentially reducing treatment costs and making it available for patients in remote areas, the researchers say.
