IIT Madras Develops Cancer-Curing Drugs from Indian Spices

Chennai: Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras has made a groundbreaking discovery in the field of cancer treatment. Researchers at the institute have developed a novel drug using Indian spices that has shown promising results in curing various types of cancer.

The drug, which is still in the pre-clinical stage, has been found to be effective against lung cancer, breast cancer, colon cancer, cervical cancer, oral cancer, and thyroid cancer. It works by targeting cancer cells while leaving normal cells unharmed. The research team, led by IIT Madras alumnus and Infosys co-founder Nandan Nilekani, has already filed a patent for the drug and is currently working on addressing the challenges of cost and safety.

“Several studies have shown that this drug can potentially cure common cancers,” said Joyce Nirmla, Chief Scientific Officer at IIT Madras. “However, the clinical trials will determine the exact dosage required for effective treatment.” One of the key advantages of this drug is that it is expected to be significantly cheaper and have fewer side effects compared to existing cancer treatments.

“Our goal is to develop a cost-effective and low-side-effect cancer treatment,” said Nirmla. “India is the world’s largest producer of spices, and we can manufacture these drugs at a very low cost. We also want to ensure that the drugs can be administered orally, rather than through injections.” The research team is currently in the process of conducting clinical trials to further evaluate the safety and efficacy of the drug. They are hopeful that the drug will be available in the market by 2028.

“We are excited about the potential of this drug to revolutionize cancer treatment,” said Prof. R. Nagarajan, Department of Chemical Engineering, IIT Madras. “The positive results from animal studies have given us confidence to move into the clinical trial phase.” This breakthrough discovery by IIT Madras is a significant step towards finding a more affordable and effective treatment for cancer. The potential impact of this drug on the lives of millions of cancer patients around the world is immense.