Von Sze Tin, a UTAR Teaching Assistant from the Faculty of Engineering and Science was among the recipients of the National Cancer Research Council (MAKNA) Research Grant. She received a RM20,000 research grant for her proposal entitled, Anticancer Property and Mode of Action of Metal Complexes of Intercalating Ligand and Amino Acids.
The award ceremony was held at the Academy of Sciences Malaysia (ASM), Kuala Lumpur on 28 February 2008 and was officiated by Tan Sri Dato' Dr Yusof Basiron (FASc), President of ASM and Dato' Mohd Farid Ariffin, Founder and President of MAKNA. The Cancer Research Award is held annually with the primary objective of motivating young researchers and local health professionals to push ahead the frontiers of cancer research.
The research aims to develop non-platinum anti-cancer drugs with less toxic side effects. Commenting on the current status of cancer research in Malaysia , Von said, "Within two years, cancer cases have rapidly increased from 30,000 in 2002 to 40,000 in 2004. Thus, a major concern for cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy is the side effect from the anti-cancer drugs which will affect their quality of life."
"Research is an on-going activity. There have been a number of reports highlighting the use of transition metal complexes as anti-cancer agents. The best known drugs known is cisplatin [cis-diamminedichloroplatinum(II)] which has been widely used to treat a variety of cancers especially testicular cancer, with a 70% - 90% cure rate. When combined with other drugs, it is successful in treating brain, ovarian, bladder and breast cancer. However, it has its limitation and caused side effects such as nausea, vomit, severe nephrotoxicity, and genotoxicity . Thus, this research has prompted a search for more effective and less toxic-metal based anticancer agents," she added.
In encouraging a research culture among UTAR staff and students, this award is a boost in the University's research efforts towards becoming one of the leading private institutions in teaching and research excellence both locally and globally.
Von receiving the award from Tan Sri Dr Yusof Basiron (centre) and Datuk Mohd Farid Ariffin (extreme right)
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