Half of patients given a new drug that stops cancer cells from repairing themselves saw their tumours 'stop growing' or 'disappear completely' in its first clinical trial. These work by blocking the function of a protein called ATR, which helps cancer cells fix damaged DNA. While damage to the DNA in cells is thought to be the main cause of cancer, finding ways to prevent cancer cells from being able to repair their DNA can stop the disease from spreading. Furthermore, one patient with advanced bowel cancer saw his tumours disappear completely — and was able to stay cancer free for more than two years after taking berzosertib on its own. A second patient — a woman with advanced ovarian cancer whose disease had come back after treatment with another drug — also saw her tumours shrink after receiving berzosertib alongside chemotherapy.

Source: Daily Mail June 23, 2020 10:30 UTC