Posted 17 September 2014 - 09:39 PM
Yes, cancer would be treatable with an accurate targeting mechanism.
Scientists have been able to destroy cancer cells in a dish for decades.
The problem that has taken decades to solve is how to destroy only cancer cells
and leave healthy cells alone. Current cancer chemotherapy treatment can lead
to serious side effects.
If cancer cells could be precisely targeted with chemotherapy and other interventions
(e.g. siRNA, or shRNA (to knock down resistance), then cancer would be a curable illness.
Enegneic has developed minicells that with bi-specific antibodies can target cancer and deliver
chemotherapeutic drugs to the cancer. Mice were cured using minicells using thousands
of times less medication than would be used without targeting.
This approach is being developed in human clinical trials. Initial results have been encouraging.
However, one problem has been the bacterial coat of the minicell. This has caused some side effects.
Ideally, a cell similar to a minicell, though without the inflammatory response, might be developed
that would be even more effective.
However, minicells appear to be a promising technology.