A/Prof Orazio Vittorio achieves breakthrough in childhood cancer treatment
By the Cure Cancer Team | 13 December 2024
A/Prof Orazio Vittorio's (right) breakthrough study reveals the potential to increase survival rates for children with high-risk neuroblastoma from 10% to 50% using a repurposed drug.
A major breakthrough by A/Prof Orazio Vittorio, supported in his early career by Cure Cancer, has brought fresh hope to children with high-risk neuroblastoma, one of the deadliest forms of childhood cancer.
The research, recently published in Nature Communications, reveals that a repurposed drug, currently used to treat Wilson’s disease, could significantly improve survival rates for children with high-risk neuroblastoma—from 10% to 50%.
The drug works by weakening the tumour while empowering immune cells, making immunotherapy treatments significantly more effective.
A/Prof Vittorio, who is based at the University of New South Wales, provides a vivid explanation of the research, comparing the drug's effect to the legend of Robin Hood: "The tumour is like this greedy rich guy who basically takes the money, or in this case copper, from the immune cells, making them very weak. Then the drug, our Robin Hood, comes in, steals the copper and gives it back to the immune cells, so they can become stronger and fight back."
A/Prof Vittorio speaking at Cure Cancer's World's Best BYO in 2023.
Lead study author Dr Jourdin Rouaen highlights the significance of the approach: "Copper chelation therapy represents a significant evolution from traditional cancer treatments. It's non-toxic, has demonstrated no concerning side effects, and is already approved for use."
Dr Rouaen also notes the practical advantages of their approach: "It typically takes eight to 13 years of research to develop a new drug for cancer treatment and costs an average of $US 4.7 billion. By repurposing an existing drug we're saving a great deal of money and time, which is particularly crucial when we're looking to improve treatment for this deadly childhood cancer."
A/Prof Orazio Vittorio (centre) and Dr Jourdin Rouaen (second from left) with the MTTI Lab team. Source: X
A critical warning from A/Prof Vittorio emphasises the specific nature of this treatment: "Never ever increase the level of copper you are taking if you have a tumour, because without this drug, all the extra copper available will reach the tumour and make it stronger."
Nikki Kinloch, CEO of Cure Cancer, says: "At Cure Cancer, we are proud to have supported Associate Professor Orazio Vittorio's pioneering research from its earliest stages, embodying our mission to champion projects with the highest potential for finding a cure and provide vital funding to researchers with groundbreaking ideas. His recent breakthrough in neuroblastoma treatment demonstrates the incredible potential of supporting emerging scientists who bring fresh perspectives and innovative approaches to cancer research."
Cure Cancer continues to be at the forefront of supporting innovative cancer research, providing crucial funding to the most promising emerging researchers in Australia.
