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City scientists tasked with investigating new cancer drugs

04/08/2008

Scientists in Manchester have been commissioned to check the feasibility of new anti-cancer drugs.

Researchers at the University of Manchester are looking at whether new chemotherapy drugs that kill cancerous tumours have any dangerous side effects.

Some chemotherapy drugs for ovarian and breast cancer cause permanent nerve damage and a loss of sensation in the fingers.

Dr Stephen Taylor and Karen Gascoigne at the university's faculty of life sciences say that the new generation of anti-mitotic drugs need to be studied before they can be used on patients.

"Early clinical studies show that these drugs do not result in significant neurotoxicity. The big question now is whether they will have anti-tumour effects," explained Dr Taylor.

In July, the university and GlaxoSmithKline – which have worked together many times – agreed to form another alliance in order to increase their chances of winning new funding.