What's in India's $1 cancer pill?

India may soon launch a cancer cure for just $1. The drug is about to be tested on humans .

Earlier this week, researchers at the Tata Memorial Center in Mumbai announced that their 10-year study had produced surprising results in developing a drug that prevents cancer from recurring. This medicine also helps reduce side effects of cancer treatment.

Specifically, the new drug contains the compound R+Cu, which contains antioxidants including resveratrol and copper, which can fight cancer.

According to research, the drug can reduce side effects in cancer treatment by half and reduce the risk of cancer recurrence by about 30%. The drug has shown effectiveness against many different types of cancer, including pancreatic, lung and oral cancers.

Illustration of tablets in a medicine box. (Photo: India Today).

This is considered to be the cheapest and most effective cancer treatment drug to date. When it hits the market, the drug is expected to cost just 100 rupees, about $1.20.

The drug was tested on both mice and humans for effectiveness in reducing side effects. However, testing to prevent cancer recurrence has only been done on mice, while human testing is only in the initial stages and may take at least 5-6 years.

NDTV quoted Mr. Rajendra Badwe - director of Tata Memorial - as saying that the drug is expected to be approved by authorities in June or July 2024 for its effectiveness in reducing side effects of cancer treatment and will be sold. out soon after.

In the study, Indian researchers implanted human cancer cells into mice, forming tumors.

After treatment with radiotherapy, chemotherapy and surgery, dying cancer cells are observed to release small particles called chromatin granules. These particles follow the blood throughout the body and have the ability to turn otherwise healthy cells into cancer cells.

To combat this process, the researchers gave mice antioxidants containing resveratrol and copper (R+Cu). 

"R+Cu pellets create oxygen radicals, destroying chromatin particles ," Mr. Badwe explained. It also prevents cancer cells in one organ from spreading to other organs in the body.

Regarding the mechanism of action , these pills, after entering the body, will release oxygen radicals in the stomach. These radicals are quickly absorbed into the blood, hindering the spread of cancer cells and reducing the effects of chemotherapy.

"We now need human trials to find the best way to improve outcomes for our patients, and if possible, for the general Indian population ," said Badwe.

Tata Memorial is one of the largest and oldest cancer research facilities in the world, funded and operated by the Indian Department of Atomic Energy.

The Indian study was published a few weeks after Russian President Vladimir Putin announced that the country was about to create a cancer vaccine. "We have achieved an important milestone in the development of cancer vaccines and next-generation immunomodulators ," the Russian leader said.