September 9th, 2009
Texas State announces promising cancer compound

STAFF REPORT

Researchers at Texas State’s Departments of Agriculture and Family and Consumer Sciences say they have reached promising results through initial testing of a cancer chemotherapeutic and anti-retroviral compound.

The unique electrochemical and structural composition of a silicon-based compound called ALKA-V6 indicates that it may provide an alternative basis for control of cancer cell growth and virus survival.

However, the implication is based solely on in-vitro results, Researchers said end-point in-vivo evaluations are imperative.

Orizon Research developed ALKA-6 with proprietary modifications.

Family and consumer sciences Professor Dhiraj Vattem, along with agriculture Professor Reed Richardson, supervised the research in cooperation with Orizon Research and announced the results Wednesday.

The evaluations were determined through in-vitro systems. No studies have yet been done with humans or animals.

The second phase of research will consist of end-point evaluations in in-vivo systems. Results from second-phase testing are expected within the next 12 months.

The anticancer studies so far revealed that ALKA-V6 prevented attachment of cancer cells, reduced harmful mutations in the DNA, induced apoptosis (programmed cell death), and stimulated important antioxidant enzymes.

The anti-retroviral studies so far revealed ALKA-V6 increased nitric oxide dependent anti-viral effects, inhibited enzymes important in viral assembly, metabolism, and replication, caused changes in the surface carbohydrate composition and metabolism, and inhibited the activity of the enzyme responsible for reverse transcription.