Jasper de Boer: Bringing back effective yet unprofitable drugs underscores a significant obstacle in the healthcare system
Jasper de Boer, Funding and Partnership Manager at ANZCHOG, shared a post on LinkedIn:
“Bringing back effective yet unprofitable drugs underscores a significant obstacle in modern medical research and the healthcare system. A recent study published in Molecular Cancer by a team led by Jacques Neefjes highlights how aclarubicin, an anthracycline drug, could dramatically improve survival rates for acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) patients, yet it has been unavailable in Europe for two decades.
Anthracycline-based chemotherapeutics, including doxorubicin, daunorubicin, and idarubicin, are among the most effective cancer treatments available. However, they come with significant side effects like heart damage, therapy-related cancers, and infertility. Detoxifying these drugs while maintaining their cancer-fighting capabilities is crucial, as heart complications from these treatments are a leading cause of illness and death among cancer survivors.
Aclarubicin stands out because it effectively kills cancer cells without causing heart damage and can be safely administered. The study shows aclarubicin can increase five-year survival rates by 23%, yet the drug remains out of reach for many patients due to financial barriers. With the patent expired, pharmaceutical companies have no incentive to invest in its production and clinical trials, leaving researchers reliant on small grants, charity, and personal funds.
This issue resonates with my own experience in attempting to repurpose disulfiram for treating infant leukaemia. Our research demonstrated that disulfiram can directly inhibit MLL-fusion proteins, offering a promising therapeutic avenue. However, like aclarubicin, disulfiram’s potential is hindered by the lack of financial incentive for pharmaceutical companies. This parallel struggle highlights the broader challenge of advancing medical treatments based on patient need rather than profit potential.”
Link to the paper and Link to the research
Source: Jasper de Boer/LinkedIn