A new experimental drug dubbed TNT acts like a smart bomb, which targets and destroys brain tumors without damaging normal cells.
The University of Utah, along with five other medical centers, are about to begin the third stage of clinical trials on the compound. Science Specialist Ed Yeates shows us how it works.
Cotara is a molecule with two arms. One holds a radioactive substance, while the other searches out and grabs a hold of ONLY tumor cells.
Once attached, the radiation, like dynamite, goes off.
Randy Jensen, M.D. / University of Utah Neurosurgeon: "AND WE INFUSE IT SLOWLY OVER A COUPLE OF DAYS AND AS THE DRUG FILTERS THROUGH OR GOES BY THESE TUMOR CELLS, IT STICKS TO THE TUMOR CELLS AND GOES PAST THE NORMAL CELLS."
Jerod Swan, 24, from Vernal, Utah, was diagnosed with a brain tumor more than four years ago.
He was one of 40 patients among five medical centers who got the infusion during phase II trials. His brain tumor was destroyed and has not returned.
JEROD SWAN, PATIENT: "EVERYTHING I AM AND ALL I DO NOW IS BECAUSE OF IT YOU KNOW - AND I'M JUST VERY THANKFUL TO BE ALIVE."
Destroying brain tumors is not easy. But while even this drug does not succeed in all cases as it did with Jarod, it's a rare tool right now in the hands of neurosurgeons.
DR. JENSEN: "MOST OF THESE DON'T EVEN WORK IN ANIMAL STUDIES AND THEY GET STOPPED WELL BEFORE THIS STAGE. TO MAKE IT INTO HUMAN TRIALS IS REALLY QUITE REMARKABLE."
The drug apparently has very few side effects.
Even while its searching and destroying tumor targets, patients - as in this case - remain alert, talking to their families.
ED YEATES, SCIENCE SPECIALIST: "NOW AS THE UNIVERSITY BEGINS STAGE III CLINICAL TRIALS, NEUROSURGEONS WILL SEE IF COTARA PROVES TO BE MORE EFFECTIVE ON PATIENTS WHO ARE IN THE EARLIER STAGES OF THEIR CANCER. ED YEATES, EYEWITNESS NEWS, SALT LAKE CITY."
April 19, 2002
