UCD scientist makes an advance in the war against cancer cells

In the mouse model, a decrease not only in tumour growth but also a reduction in tumour volume to around one-third was observed for the first time. In the human breast cancer, Titanocene Y showed cell death induction comparable to the widely-used chemotherapy drug Cisplatin.

Dr Tacke's group has been working on anti-cancer drugs belonging to the titanocene family for five years. 25 novel compounds were initially synthesised in the lab, and were structurally identified and then biologically evaluated.

The most successful analogues so far, Titanocene X and Titanocene Y, have been shown in early in-vitro and ex-vitro experiments to target prostrate, cervix and renal cell cancers, as well as breast cancer cell lines. The researchers believe that titanocenes represent a novel series of promising antitumour agents.

According to Dr Tacke: “The successor molecule has been synthesised and has been shown to be 13 times more cytotoxic in vitro. Investigations of this candidate in the next mouse model are currently underway.”