New chemo delivery method: Hope for cancer patients

More hope, less side-effects. This new way of treating cancer offers good news to patients and their loved ones.

Developed by experts led by Dr. Jay Lazaro of the Institute of Biology, University of the Philippines Diliman, the treatment entails the use of immunoliposomes as drug carriers in cancer therapy. It is currently being tested on mice and part of a project funded by the Department of Science and Technology (DOST).

“This kind of breakthrough technology is part of DOST’s drug discovery program for 2012,” said Sec. Mario Montejo. “It lists high in the priorities under the Department’s antibody molecular oncology R&D in our search for anti-cancer treatments suitable to Filipinos.”

Immunoliposome technology is a more effective drug delivery procedure. With this method, cancer-treating drugs are contained in liposomes or sacs to treat cancer or other diseases.

According to the scientists who developed it, the technology is more specific, as it targets only cancer cells. Since there fewer healthy cells are affected by the treatment, there is less toxicity and less pain for the patient.

This new technology is much better than the more common chemotherapy modality, in which drug is administered intravenously or injected drop-by-drop into the vein. Chemotherapy lasts between 60 to 120 minutes and repeated every three to four weeks.

In general, chemotherapy damages cells that in the process of dividing – including normal cells in the hair, skin, lining of the mouth and digestive system, body parts that are constantly renewing themselves.

As a result, patients experience side-effects like nausea or vomiting, immediate allergic reactions, fatigue, weight loss, taste and smell changes resulting in the loss of appetite and hair loss.

Pain is also a common experience among cancer patients, resulting from the cancer itself or from the treatment to stop the cancer. Different people may react differently to different drugs, but most cancer patients suffer similar toxicity and side effects. These effects may be unpleasant and usually cause discomfort for patients and their loved ones, who may be affected physically and emotionally by the patient’s suffering.

“At present, we are testing the technology using Caelyx, a cancer drug. However, the technology can be eventually used for any other drug and any other illness,” Dr. Lazaro said.

Caelyx treatment for cancer may cost between P40,000 and P45,000 for every 20 milligrams. Although treatment by immunoliposome may cost more, it is more effective because it is target-specific and creates less toxicity and side effects. This means less fatigue for the patient and a greater chance of winning the fight against the disease.

Cancer is one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality in the Philippines. It ranks third after communicable diseases and cardiovascular diseases, according to the Department of Health.