Theralase Technologies Inc (TSX-V:TLT, OTCQB:TLTFF) CEO Roger DuMoulin-White joined Proactive to discuss the latest advancements in the company’s cancer treatment research.
DuMoulin-White detailed the development of Rutherrin, an innovative drug designed to localize and destroy cancer cells in the body.
He explained how Rutherrin, traditionally activated by light for bladder cancer, can now be activated by radiation for deeper cancers like those in the brain and lungs, and by Metformin, a common diabetes drug.
This breakthrough could allow treatment to be more accessible, potentially even in a patient’s home, reducing the need for hospital visits, he added.
Proactive: There was a super interesting news release out from the company talking about your lead drug candidate, Rutherrin. That's just one drug that you have, right? You have more than that.
Roger DuMoulin-White: We actually have two. So, there's Ruvidar, which is used for bladder cancer. It's an intravesical installation, so you can instill it into the bladder, let it absorb into the urothelial cancer cells, void the bladder, fill it with water, and then use fiber optics to activate it.
We have another formulation called Rutherrin. We put some other excipients with it, some other chemicals, and now we can inject that into the body. What happens is that we're combining Ruvidar, the interventional drug, with transferrin, a glycoprotein in everyone's body used to transport iron. Cancer cells have a much higher absorption for iron than normal cells because of their increased metabolic rate, which makes them dangerous. By combining Ruvidar with transferrin, Rutherrin can now hunt anywhere in the body and localize to cancer cells. Once inside the cancer cells, you want to stimulate that drug to produce reactive oxygen species (ROS). These ROS are volatile chemicals that cause oxidative stress, which is like a bowling ball inside a China shop. The ROS destroy the cancer cell.
Traditionally, we've done this with light, great for bladder cancer. For deeper cancers like brain or lung, we've looked at activating it with radiation, and now, with a very common drug, metformin, which is widely prescribed for diabetes. This opens up the possibility of treatment outside of a hospital environment. Instead of being in a hospital, you can use an IV drip to administer Rutherrin into the body and then use metformin to activate it. This could be done at home, reducing the need for hospital visits.
Are there possibilities for other uses as well?
Yes. This shows the versatility of Rutherrin. It localizes to different cancer types and can be activated with light, radiation, or common drugs. Cancer is generally an older person's disease, and it can be hard for them to get around. This approach could allow treatment at home with an IV drip and metformin, avoiding hospital visits.
Where do you go with this now?
Traditionally, clinical studies are sponsor-led, meaning companies like Theralase lead them, which is expensive and involves many moving parts. This new approach allows for more practitioner-led studies, which could be quicker and easier to set up, opening up possibilities for treating numerous cancers.
Quotes have been lightly edited for clarity and style