Impact Stories

Enabling scientific breakthrough

Natural drug brings new hope to cancer patients

Cancer is a big killer accounting for seven to eight million deaths worldwide each year. The number of cancer cases and related deaths is on the rise. Lung cancer and liver cancer, in particular, are not diagnosed until the later stages of development. Treatment options are limited and they often come with side effects. There is an obvious need to identify new and better therapeutic agents.

Thanks to the support of veteran jeweller Mr Lo Ka-chung, PolyU has achieved research breakthrough offering hope to cancer patients worldwide.

The PolyU-based Lo Ka Chung Centre for Natural Anti-Cancer Drug Development, set up in 2006 with donation from Mr Lo, is the first in the world to have developed the natural drug (BCT-100) targeting liver and potentially other types of cancer. The research team made an important discovery related to arginine, an essential amino acid for the growth of cancer cells, and found that deprivation of arginine induces cancer cells to death while leaving normal cells unharmed.

The research team collaborated with Bio-Cancer Treatment International Limited (BCT) at the laboratory stage to develop BCT-100 – Hong Kong’s first Investigational New Drug (IND) approved by the US Food and Drug Administration. It is now being manufactured after going through successful clinical trials at hospitals in Hong Kong and the US.

Mr Lo, now in his 90s, has offered continued support for the vital research through the Lo Ka Chung Charitable Foundation founded by him in 2002. The Foundation aims at supporting institutional establishments and development projects in both educational and medical fields.

Knowing well that drug research is a long-term commitment, in 2015, Mr Lo went on to establish an endowed professorship in pharmaceutical sciences by making another generous donation, thus giving a strong boost to the research team at PolyU.

Mr Lo’s son Peter is now in charge of the Foundation. He said,

The Lo family also sympathises with the immense need for affordable drugs among cancer patients. According to the Director of the Centre, Prof. Thomas Leung, the drug is potentially applicable to a wide spectrum of cancer, and will be at a relatively low cost when it hits the market in a few years’ time.

The Lo family also sympathises with the immense need for affordable drugs among cancer patients. According to the Director of the Centre, Prof. Thomas Leung, the drug is potentially applicable to a wide spectrum of cancer, and will be at a relatively low cost when it hits the market in a few years’ time.

Through DNA research, his team is seeking to find out the best combinations of drugs for treating different types of patients, while sparing the pain of chemotherapy. “We are excited about the development thus far. The Foundation’s support has allowed us to keep improving the drug.”

Mr Peter Lo is both thrilled and proud to see the latest breakthrough. “We hope to see more milestones in their research work. They are involved in diverse projects with potential benefits for the society.”

Prof. Leung is hopeful about the future.

It can also be assured that the pursuits of the research team will continue to meet the goal of the Foundation – “to bring help to people”.