Brazil tests new substance against cancer

Phosphoethanolamine, a substance developed by a research team from the Chemistry Institute of the University of São Paulo (USP), which is being touted as a cure for cancer, will conclude its first stage of preclinical testing—undergone in guinea pigs—in seven months. Thereafter, the research’s following stage is to conduct first human trials.

The announcement of first trials was made Monday (Nov. 16) by Celso Pansera, head of the Ministry of Science, Technology, and Innovation (MCTI), who explained that the testing will be made from two samples of the molecule. One sample will be collected to the university and the other will be developed based on the substance’s description registered in the patent application submitted to the National Institute of Industrial Property.

The MCTI has already provided $520,000 for the drug development and the research’s first trials. Approximately $2.6 million is estimated to be spent in research in the coming years.

Synthetic phosphoethanolamine sparked controversy after its distribution had been approved by court decision, for some patients undergoing treatment for cancer. In November 12th, however, São Paulo Court of Justice banned the substance’s distribution, but the debate continues.

"No information from any agency has certified the use of this medicine in Brazil, or in the world; nobody has certified this molecule as an anti-cancer drug," reported the minister in a press conference.

The molecule was developed by the research team led by Gilberto Chierice, from the Chemistry Institute of University of São Paulo, in São Carlos, at about 20 years ago. More recently it became known in social networks as the "cancer cure pill" before having officially passed by the research steps required for a drug to be used by humans.

Translated by Amarílis Anchieta