CHENNAI: Prakash Vaidyanathan, an alumnus of IIT-Madras and a school teacher, has claimed to have identified a potential therapy for breast cancer after conducting preliminary lab studies at a lab in IIT- Madras. The researcher has applied and is waiting for funds to further his research on the subject.“Preliminary lab studies at IIT-Madras have indicated that the combination of Sodium Butyrate and Thioflavin T compounds exhibit anti-cancer properties. This is the first study to utilise these compounds in combination for potential therapeutic purposes,” Prakash said. “We anticipate this data to be useful in developing novel anti-cancer drug. Further studies will elucidate the mechanisms of action and are currently being explored.”The preliminary data, according to Prakash, has proven that the compounds in combination have potential anti-cancer properties. This combination is highly effective in selective cancers like breast cancer, with effective doses. The combination selectively targets breast cancer cell line. However, they did not produce results for other types of cancers, like cervical or pancreatic cancer. “Going forward, we need to study the pathways to develop the anti-cancer drugs for which I have submitted a basis report based on which permissions are expected,” he said. “However, funds are a constraint to take the project further and establish my findings.”Prakash is looking forward to share his patent with his alma mater that allowed and aided him to conduct his research. Prakash, who, at present, is working as a teacher and researcher in St. Hilda’s school in Ooty, has been researching on cervical cancer for close to two years. “It was accidentally that I discovered the potential therapeutics for breast cancer, as I was working exclusively on cervical cancer,” he said. Prakash claims to have identified the use of the compounds in a mere two month’s time. “I started working on it in April this year and got results by May 19. However, we had to wait so long to confirm things.”The success of Prakash’s findings will depend on availability of funds to further the research and get his findings published in a reputed journal. “There is a lot more to be done before the findings are published as a paper and we need funds for that. The success of the project, hence, will depend on availability of funds.” According to statistics of National Cancer registry programme recorded in 2005-2006, Chennai reported the highest incidence of breast cancer among all other cities monitored. In Chennai, 33 out of 1 lakh women had been diagnosed of breast cancer.
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