Researchers at RGPV claim discovery of two anticancer molecules

Researchers at the Rajiv Gandhi Proudyogiki Vishwavidyalaya (RGPV), Bhopal, have claimed the discovery of two anticancer molecules from turmeric, which, they say, would be able to kill cancer cells without causing side-effects.

According to RGPV vice-chancellor Piyush Trivedi and his doctoral student Dr C Karthikeyan, the discovery of the anti-cancer molecules, code-named CTR-17 and CTR-20, trigger a breakthrough in treatment of a number different types of cancers against which currently available clinical drugs had proven ineffective. The discovery came following 12 years of study on the healing and antiseptic properties of turmeric, they add.

Addressing a press conference on Monday, Trivedi, who is also a pharmacist, said, ''At a time when studies are suggesting a rapid increase in the incidence of cancer in India, this discovery could bring a revolution in cancer treatment. RGPV is the first university with a world-class laboratory where this discovery has taken place. We have also filed for a US patent of the discovery of the new anti-cancer molecules.''

''My team at RGPV, in collaboration with Dr Hoyun Lee's team at Advanced Medical Research Institute in Canada, worked on the discovery. A US provisional patent application has been officially filed to protect the intellectual property rights and also aid the successful translation of the discovered molecules to clinical trials because in the findings of pre-clinical trials, we have noticed excellent effects,'' he added.

''Inspired by the healing properties of turmeric, which is available in every household and considered as an effective antiseptic and given almost to everyone for treating various ailments, we have studied it deeply for almost 10 long years and discovered a molecule based on our findings which has magical effects on treating cancer during pre-clinical trials,'' professor Trivedi said.

''It is novel and unique in a sense that unlike other cancer drugs that have major side-effects. especially when one undergoes chemotherapy. This molecule targets and destroys only cancerous cells and causes no damage to other vital cells of the body,'' the vice chancellor of state's only government technological university said.

''Besides these two, we have also discovered 22 other molecules and their pre-clinical trials has also produced very encouraging results and would prove a boon to cancer patients,'' Trivedi said.