The University of Bradford’s Institute of Cancer Therapeutics is developing a new drug designed to target only diseased cancerous cells. One of the main ingredients in the team’s experimental drug is colchicine, which is commonly used to treat gout. Although colchicine is a natural ingredient often derived from the Autumn Crocus, the scientists are creating a chemically matched substitute in a laboratory.

This new form of colchicine was created as a first attempt to remove the existing blood supply to a tumor. Without a blood supply to sustain its cell reproduction, the tumor should die off. Scientists have tailored the drug to specifically target an enzyme only found in diseased tissue. this means the drug will also be able to target secondary tumor cells.

According to the lead researcher on the team, this drug will be particularly powerful as it should be able to safely work alongside the patients’ chemotherapy treatments or hormone therapies such as Femara or Arimidex.

For more information see the original release here.