Finding effective new anti-cancer drugs is one of the holy grails of medical research. It is a lengthy and costly business, with at least 95% of compounds failing when they are tested in humans.
For 65 years, the Auckland Cancer Society Research Centre (ACSRC) has been operating in this challenging environment, working to develop new treatments to benefit patients worldwide. Now an independent review has named it "one of the world's most successful cancer drug discovery groups", saying the centre has established a global reputation for success, at a fraction of the cost of its global counterparts, and has seen 16% of drugs it has tested and developed go on to be new cancer treatments.
“There is no cure for cancer. But we are moving the bar every generation."
The report, by independent consultants Dr Bruce Scoggins and Dr Michelle Sullivan, was commissioned by the centre's long-time funder, the Cancer Society Auckland/Northland Division, to assess the impact of its investment at a time when the charity sector is feeling the squeeze. It takes a deep dive into the history of the ACSRC and finds that having a stable source of charitable funding has been critical to its record of innovation.
One of the earlier successes, amsacrine, approved by the US Food and Drug Administration in 1983, was the first pharmaceutical developed in New Zealand to be registered for use in this country. It is still in use worldwide today, as a treatment for leukaemia and malignant lymphoma.
Currently, two drugs are the focus of trials. Tarloxotinib, which is being investigated for its potential to treat head and neck cancer, and a compound called CP-506.
This story is from the April 9 - 15, 2022 edition of New Zealand Listener.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the April 9 - 15, 2022 edition of New Zealand Listener.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Candid cameras in wartime
Clandestine photos have been unearthed and turned into a documentary showing Kiwi soldiers during World War II as they have never been seen before.
Return of the queen
Beth Orton brings the personal songs of her career-reviving album to NZ.
Fanny, the musical
How do you turn Jane Austen into opera and why pick Mansfield Park, her most demanding novel? Composer Jonathan Dove explains his approach to Richard Betts.
It's in the blood
Michael Bennett returns his Maori detective to her roots ina convincing, highly anticipated second novel.
Touchstones
Ahead of the Aotearoa Art Fair, Sally Blundell asks New Zealand artists about their favourite local artwork and why it moves them.
Room at the Top
The Opportunities Party could well be a force to be reckoned with as a centrist voice - it's just lacking a leader, a campaign and a lot of money.
Brought to book
He's rich, opinionated and believes in doing good for the community. Property developer Mark Todd is a study in contrasts.
'Why aren't you listening to me?!"
To really understand each other, our brains need to be in sync, says author Charles Duhigg. And, yes, there are ways to get on to the same wavelength.
The virus that came to stay
With current funding for our Covid response drawing to a close, there’s growing recognition that many people are suffering debilitating long-term effects. What’s the next move?
The chips are down
It's a forecast no Irish person with a sense of history expected ever to hear again: a severe potato shortage looms.
