A team of Japanese scientists could have devised a method of modifying platinum-based anti-cancer drugs to make them effective against cancer cells that are resistant to this treatment.

Researchers from Dainippon Sumitomo Pharma found that by dissolving or suspending lipophilic platinum complexes with ligands, such as amines, diamines, and pyridine, in iodized poppyseed oil fatty acid ethyl ester, an injectible formulation is produced that can restore the cancer treating properties of drugs such as cisplatin.

The method improves the uptake of the drugs by cancer cells that are prevalent in sarcomas, carcinomas and lymphomas which have membranes which act to prevent the process from occurring, the American Chemical Society reports.

Further research into the method is likely to include testing other functionalised oils as carriers for metal-based chemotherapeutic compounds and testing combinations of the oils with other compounds.

Dainippon Sumitomo Pharma has been awarded a patent for the method.

Sources:

Formulation improves platinum-based anticancer drug uptake, 01/10/07
https://portal.acs.org/portal/PublicWebSite/patent/archive/CTP_006554 

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