Thank you for that Seawatcher!
I have a slight problem with what is in the post.
Let me first say that I have come across the poster Hallucigenia before & value his/her contributions.
However reference is made to 'only in vitro, work when quite clearly the drug has been tested on people in PhaseI, Phase II & phase III tests. The phase III testing has been largely abandoned although some positive results were announced.
The last statement I have seen was 'Tariquidar (XR9576): Phase III Clinical Trials stopped. Review of clinical data continuing with QLT' The results of this review have not been published as far as I am aware!
It is not surprising IMO, that some difficulties have arisen with the use of Tariquidar, which attacks the cell defence mechanism, which all us who eat need in operation every day!
My understanding is that the cell mechanism pumps out toxic substance that enter cells & this enables us to withstand the daily barrage of toxic compounds in the food we eat, or ingest in other ways!
Turning off this mechanism to enable chemotherapy to work more effectively is clearly fraught with danger.
The question is "is it possible to formulate the drug in a way that increases the efficacy of chemotherapy without allowing unacceptable damage to normal cells."?
Incidently That name 'Hallucigenia'! What does it conjure up to most people?
I'm going to call it a midget dinosaur or a velvet worm!
I hope to include a drawing of it, but more can be found at:-
http://library.thinkquest.org/3017/hallucig.htm
http://www.nmnh.si.edu/paleo/shale/phallu.htm
Fly by Night
Red