A cancer drug was invented in Lviv

Lviv scientists have invented an enzyme that breaks down cancer cells resistant to treatment.

The treatment method using an enzyme is called enzyme therapy and was invented by English scientists. However, the cost of such an enzyme is extremely high: for example, an enzyme for liver cancer costs about a thousand dollars per gram. Specialists from the Lviv Institute of Cell Biology, after five years of work, have managed to invent the microorganism Argenina, which is seven times cheaper than the enzyme. The development became possible thanks to the simultaneous work of scientists with proteins and bacteria — yeasts.

At present, the microorganisms are being tested in test tubes. 30 scientists continue to research the problem of cancer, and another 40 work on microorganisms.

Doctors have already established that the enzyme is low-toxic and does not harm the human body, i.e., it does not damage healthy cells, unlike chemo- and radiotherapy. According to tsn.ua, the preparation is suitable for fighting cells that cause liver, skin, prostate, and blood cancer.

However, the developers of the drug point out that they do not have the opportunity to conduct full-fledged tests, as there is no certified laboratory in Ukraine for animal experiments. “We can only test on hopelessly ill patients, so we are entering into cooperation with the Germans,” said Oleh Stasyk, a representative of the research group.

The first research results will be published by the scientists at the Festival of Education and Science, which will take place in Lviv on April 28-30.

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