20.01.2011, 15:47 3401

Pill that fights skin cancer developed

A pill, which could revolutionise treatment of the most deadly form of skin cancer, has been developed, significantly improving survival rates, Daily Mail reported.

Almaty. January 20. Kazakhstan Today - A pill, which could revolutionise treatment of the most deadly form of skin cancer, has been developed, significantly improving survival rates, Daily Mail reported.

For the first time, there is evidence the drug improves prospects for patients whose cancer has spread.

Scientists have already found the size of tumours was significantly reduced in 80 per cent of those testing the drug, known as RG7204.

The breakthrough was made following the full decoding of human DNA, which pinpointed a genetic flaw in about half of cases of malignant melanoma - the most aggressive form of skin cancer.

The flaw drives the cancer cells to grow and spread, but RG7204 seeks out and blocks the mutated gene, called BRAF, causing tumours to shrink. Scientists at the Royal Marsden NHS Trust in London believe the drug will have a dramatic effect on treatment for those patients whose cancer has the BRAF mutation.

Skin cancer affects more than 10,000 Britons each year, killing 2,000, and is linked to sun exposure. It is the second most common cancer in 15 to 34-year-olds, affecting twice as many women as men.

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