New Cancer Drug Is 'Holy Grail'

British scientists say they are close to developing what they are calling the "Holy Grail" of cancer treatment.

Cancer sufferer Julian Lewis responds well to a trial drug treating his condition

Revolutionary new drug Olaparib could be lifesaving for people whose genes make them more likely to get cancer.

Traditional cancer treatments, like chemotherapy, kill both healthy and cancerous cells but produce terrible side effects like hair loss, nausea and fatigue.

In contrast, Olaparib leaves healthy cells untouched and is highly potent with only mild side effects.

"This is really the holy grail of cancer treatment - selectively killing cancer cells and sparing normal cells," said Dr Johann de Bono of the Institute of Cancer Research (ICR).

"By giving this drug we have made what has been an advantage to the cell in fact an achilles heel."

Father-of-three Julian Lewis, of Oxford, carries a genetic fault known as a BRCA mutation - it also killed his sister Ruth.

Four years ago Julian discovered he had prostate cancer.

Tests revealed the cancer had already spread to his bones meaning he was not a suitable candidate for surgery or radiotherapy.

When Julian's body became resistant to traditional drugs, the prognosis was grim.

But now Julian and thousands of others in Britain with the BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutations have been given hope by the new drug.

Developed by the ICR in collaboration with The Royal Marsden Hospital and AstraZeneca, Olaparib is still being trialled. But initial results have scientists excited.

Julian was one of the first patients to be involved in the clinical trial, and after two years his cancer is now shrinking.

Of those using the drug nearly two thirds with the BRCA mutation responded positively.

With further trials and an approval process still ahead it could be years before Olaparib is widely available.

:: The BRCA mutations affect less than 1% of people in Britain, but its consequences can be devastating. The defective gene weakens the ability of a person's cells to repair themselves.

For men with the BRCA mutation the lifetime risk of developing prostate cancer doubles from 7% to over 15%.

For women it is even worse. Their risk of developing ovarian cancer jumps from 2% to 60%, while their chance of getting breast cancer leaps from 10% to as much as 85%.