Iranian Researcher Produces Drug-Carrier System to Fight Cancer

An Iranian researcher at Amir-Kabir Polytechnic University succeeded in developing a new drug-carrier system for fighting cancer cells by using herbal anticancer materials, specially existing in green tea.

“Green tea includes catechin, an anticancer material which is only sensitive to cancer cells, but it vanishes in the body’s chemical environment quickly when it is used in normal doses,” Sarah Shafiei, the researcher of the project, said.

Shafiei said the medication she has developed penetrates cancerous cells and then releases the needed amount of catechin in them without poisoning or damaging the healthy cells.

The system has passed cellular tests and destroyed prostate cancer cells successfully, Shafiei said, and added that the system should now go under clinical tests.

Shafiei added the natural anticancer materials including green tea are more compatible with the body and cause less side effects compared with chemotherapy.

The researcher added that her newly-developed system needs less expense, is easier to make compared to its foreign rivals and also makes use of commonly-used polymeric materials.