Advancements in health care have given cancer patients new hope for survival.
Some may choose to undergo surgery while others may opt for chemotherapy, but both have drawbacks.
Dr. Xiaoyang Qi said that there now could be a third option, ONN's Lot Tan reported on Thursday.
"What we do is we induce the cancer cells and have them commit suicide," Qi said.
Qi is a human geneticist with Cincinnati Children's Hospital and has developed an experimental treatment.
He invented a synthesized compound called 'SapC-Dops' which can be found naturally in the body. It's made up of a combination of a protein and an acidic fat-soluble molecule.
"We increase the viability in the cancer tissue so that we can save normal tissue," Qi said.
Qi said that 'SapC-Dops' tricks the cancer cells into killing itself without harming any healthy tissues. He also said that there appears to be no side-effects.
"I feel very excited," Qi said. "I feel very, very optimistic. Hopefully in the clinical trials we can save people's lives. That's the main purpose."
This experimental cancer treatment shows promise against several cancers including two of the hardest to fight, Glioblastoma brain tumors and pancreatic cancer.
Qi made his discovery in 2002. It's been a slow process which began in a dish in the lab.
The treatment was then tested on lab animals.
"The treatment got better," Qi said. "Some animals survived and don't have tumors anymore."
The treatment has been successful at every stage but will it work on humans? If it does, Qi could become very famous.
"It's all about helping people to live," Qi said. "That's my first goal. Accomplish that goal and other things will follow, but that doesn't matter to me. I think after that, I'm going to retire."
Bexion Pharmaceuticals manufactures 'SapC-Dops' and hopes to get FDA approval for human clinical trials by the middle of next year.
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