The Genentech laboratory, a subsidiary of Swiss pharmaceutical group Roche has published results of a clinical trial of a new experimental treatment against skin cancer. This would significantly reduce the advanced tumors.

The drug GDC-0449 blocks the protein “hedgehog” which promotes the growth of cancer cells. It was obtained through genetic modification on the CYCLOPAMINE contained in the plant Veratrum californicum. The CYCLOPAMINE inhibits and blocks the ability of renewal of the cancer stem cells.

The trial focused on thirty-three patients suffering from skin cancer. After taking the oral treatment, eighteen patients showed reduction of the tumor or an improvement of symptoms and eleven had their condition stabilized. On a patient suffering from brain cancer, treatment has also enabled the reduction of the tumor.

The doctors of Genentech indicate that no side effect was observed and highlighted the advances which the treatment had show. Dr. Von Hoff of the clinical Research institute of Scottsdale said: “There was previously no treatment that can effectively slow tumor growth in patients suffering from advanced skin cancer. With the use of a specific anti-cancer agent and targeted to a particular type of cancer, this study offers an enormous potential to combat medulloblastoma and other cancers. “