WEDNESDAY, Sept. 10, 2003 (HealthDayNews) -- A drug initially developed as a treatment for a rare genetic disease may also prove effective in treating cancer and autoimmune diseases.
The drug tetrathiomolybdate (TM), created by University of Michigan scientists, combats copper. The drug was originally designed as a treatment for Wilson's disease, a genetic disorder that causes toxic buildups of copper.
But the scientists also found TM seems effective against tumor growth, fibrosis and inflammation.
Currently, TM is involved in nine Phase II clinical studies related to cancer. Researchers are also investigating the effects of TM on inflammatory fibrosis diseases such as pulmonary fibrosis, cirrhosis, cystic fibrosis and psoriasis.
An update on TM research was presented Sept. 10 at the national meeting of the American Chemical Society in New York City.
More information
Here's where you can learn more about Wilson's disease.
