Drug developer ValiRx (LON:VAL) this morning released what can only be described as highly encouraging results from an independent late pre-clinical study on cancer compound VAL201.
The data showed it significantly inhibited aggressive tumour cell proliferation in prostate cancer.
Not only that, it reduced the spread of secondary tumours by up to 50 per cent.
Patients with prostate cancer typically develop metastasis (the spread of that cancer into other organs as secondary tumours) and almost all patients who go through the end-stage of cancer experience this proliferation of cancer cells into other organs or areas of the body.
So even if the primary tumour is successfully treated, the disease can often have spread already.
Treatment to combat this metastatic spread is crucial for both patient survival and quality of life.
Today’s findings represent “a major step forward” as they independently confirm and build on earlier studies carried out by ValiRx, the company said.
Chief executive Dr Satu Vainikka added: “I am absolutely thrilled by these latest findings for VAL201.
“We knew from previous studies last year that the compound was showing effect at preventing proliferative tissue growth in live studies and with reduced side effects.
“With this data and the fact that we can now curtail and even substantially reduce cancerous growth, a treatment for this horrible disease, which affects many millions across the globe, is tantalisingly closer.
“With production of VAL201 now being human compliant and with a larger data set to work from, we are increasingly developing a much better understanding of the nature of the compound and how VAL201 specifically interacts biologically and impacts on disease progression.
“I very much look forward to VAL201’s imminent move into clinical trials and, by extension, its potential being realised to both save and improve lives."