New Delhi: Cancer patients undergoing
radiation therapy will now be able to escape its side effects
with the Defence Research and Development Organisation
claiming that it has developed a medicine to counter them.
After a 15-year research, the DRDO has developed the
medicine -- 2-Deoxy-D-glucose. The new drug has got clearance
from the Drug Controller General of India.
"The product is slated to hit the markets in the next
three months," DRDO scientist and chief controller, Life
Sciences, Dr W Selvamurthy said.
The harmful effects of radiation treatment can be in
the form of loss of hair, appetite, fatigue, mouth and
throat inflammation, skin problems, memory loss, lower sexual
desire or poor tolerance for cold weather, nausea, changes in
vision and permanent loss of sperm production -- all depending
on the area of treatment.
"We have developed a medicine 2-Deoxy-D-glucose which
will relieve the cancer patients from the burden of side
effects of radiation therapy. We are finally getting this
after a research of 15 years," Selvamurthy said.
"This medicine will help reduce the dosage of
radiation to be given to the cancer patient, since it ensures
that only the cancer cells are destroyed and the normal one`s
are protected during therapy, which ultimately relieves the
patients from the side effects of the therapy," Selvamurty
said.
PTI