By Tammy Gay
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"This approach for the treatment of
malignant diseases could prove to be an effective alternative in addition to standard
therapy protocols."
Vincent S. Gallicchio
UK College of Allied Health Professions associate dean for research
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|
LEXINGTON, KY (Jan. 6, 1999) -- Two professors
from the University of Kentucky College of Allied Health Professions and the Oregon Health
Science Center have received a patent for a new drug delivery system that could remove
some of the side effects from chemotherapy. Vincent S. Gallicchio, Ph.D., associate dean
for research, UK College of Allied Health Professions, and Milton Yatvin, Ph.D., professor
of radiation oncology with the Oregon Health Science Center in Portland, Ore., developed
the drug delivery system which is currently being studied in animals. The drug delivery
system is about one to two years away from human testing.
The new system includes incorporating drugs into macrophage cells and delivering the
cells intravenously to patients. Macrophage cells, which are localized in certain parts of
the body, have a homing mechanism, which causes them to return to their original location.
"This approach for the treatment of malignant diseases could prove to be an
effective alternative in addition to standard therapy protocols," Gallicchio said.
The new delivery system could provide another way to deliver chemotherapy to cancer
patients. The drug could be administered to the cancerous part of the body rather than the
entire body resulting in fewer side effects. |
