ATR inhibitors work by blocking the function of a protein called ATR, which helps cancer cells fix damaged DNA. The scientists also found berzosertib stopped tumours growing in half of patients given the drug, either on its own, or with chemotherapy. One patient with advanced bowel cancer saw his tumours disappear and was able to stay cancer free for more than two years after taking berzosertib on its own. Another woman with advanced ovarian cancer, whose disease had come back after treatment with another drug, saw her tumours shrink after receiving berzosertib alongside chemotherapy. The drug is now moving forward in further trials and the researchers hope it can be developed into a new targeted treatment for patients.

Source: Daily Mirror June 23, 2020 06:41 UTC