Made in Singapore cancer drug could help cure blindness, trial in country to start soon
According to The Singapore Times, the drug PRL3-zumab was developed by the A*Star Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology (IMCB) and was created as a broad-spectrum anti-cancer drug that could treat not one but multiple types of cancer.
In a Singapore trial of the drug, patients with either wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD) or diabetic retinopathy will receive a shot of the medicine intravenously.
Globally, these two conditions are among the most common causes of loss of sight.
How does it work? According to pre-clinical studies published in Nature Communications as PRL3-zumab reduced leakage from damaged blood vessels.
Currently both Wet AMD and diabetic retinopathy are treated with periodic injections into the sclera or white part of the eye periodically to reduce leakage and abnormal growth in blood vessels.
The intravenous method, according to the studies, led to an 86 per cent greater reduction in blood vessel leakage compared to injections.
After being granted approval by Singapore's Health Sciences Authority on June 16, a safety trial is set to begin by late 2025 with more human trials following to test the drug's efficacy.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Malay Mail
14 hours ago
- Malay Mail
How dentists can help in Malaysia's HIV response — Tan Chuey Chuan, Goh Yet Ching
JULY 15 — In recent months, reports of rising HIV infections in Malaysia have once again made national headlines. The data paints a troubling picture: a noticeable increase in new cases, particularly among young Malaysians, some as young as 18. These statistics are more than just numbers — they represent real lives, real futures at risk. And while the HIV epidemic has long been associated with the medical field, this concerning trend invites a broader question: where else can we intervene earlier? For those of us in the dental profession, the answer may lie closer than we think. Dentists are often not the first profession that comes to mind when considering HIV detection. Yet we are uniquely positioned to play a crucial role. This is because HIV frequently manifests early signs in the oral cavity — symptoms that, while subtle, can be significant markers for early-stage infection. Persistent oral ulcers, oral candidiasis, necrotising gingivitis, and unusual lesions are just some of the tell-tale signs that may appear in the mouth before any systemic symptoms become apparent. These are not just isolated dental problems; they may be silent indicators of a much larger issue. What makes this especially important is the nature of dental care itself. Many people visit their dentists more regularly than they see their doctors, particularly young adults who may avoid medical clinics unless something feels urgently wrong. Dental visits, on the other hand, are often part of routine care and carry fewer perceived stigmas. This creates a powerful opportunity: the dental clinic as a frontline checkpoint, a place where potential signs of HIV can be recognised in an environment that feels safe and familiar. At the Faculty of Dentistry, Universiti Malaya, our training goes beyond filling cavities or treating gum disease. We educate our students to approach oral health holistically. This includes recognising when oral symptoms may be linked to broader systemic conditions, including HIV. When patients present with atypical lesions or persistent oral infections, we are taught to look beyond the surface. This means asking sensitive but important questions, making timely referrals, and always doing so with empathy, confidentiality, and professionalism. Despite this, public awareness of the dentist's potential role in HIV detection remains limited. Many still view HIV as an issue solely confined to the realm of medicine. This disconnect can lead to missed opportunities for early intervention. It is time to change that perception — not by expanding our clinical scope, but by reinforcing the important part we already play within the healthcare ecosystem. Dental visits, on the other hand, are often part of routine care and carry fewer perceived stigmas. This creates a powerful opportunity: the dental clinic as a frontline checkpoint, a place where potential signs of HIV can be recognised in an environment that feels safe and familiar. — Unsplash pic To the public, we say this: your dental visit is more than a cleaning or a filling. It is an opportunity to monitor aspects of your overall health, including potential early signs of conditions that may not yet have become apparent. If you notice ulcers that won't heal, white patches that persist, unexplained oral infections, or other unusual symptoms — don't hesitate to speak up. We are trained to notice, to listen, and to act with care. Let us reassure you: our dental clinics are a safe space. We do not diagnose HIV during a routine check-up. We do not make assumptions. But we do see patterns. We do recognise signs. And most importantly, we act with the best interest of our patients in mind. With the proper protocols and partnerships with medical professionals, we can ensure that patients who may need further screening are gently and respectfully guided in the right direction. Beyond clinical care, the dental community can also contribute to the national conversation on HIV by engaging in awareness efforts, supporting health education initiatives, and advocating for early detection as a shared responsibility across all healthcare sectors. In doing so, we align ourselves with a more integrated, humane, and proactive approach to HIV response in Malaysia. As we continue to face rising numbers and shifting public health challenges, we in the dental fraternity must embrace our role not just as oral health practitioners, but as early sentinels of broader wellness. It is a role that demands vigilance, compassion, and communication. And it is a role we are ready to fulfil. To the public: be open with your dentist. You are not alone, and you are not being judged. Your dental visit can be more than routine — it can be reassuring. We are here to protect your smile, yes, but also to support your overall wellbeing. The smile often hides what words cannot say. Let us, as dentists, be the ones who listen — to what is seen, what is said, and what is left unsaid. Because sometimes, behind a smile, lies a story that deserves to be heard — and helped. * Dr Tan Chuey Chuan and Dr Goh Yet Ching are from the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Dentistry, Universiti Malaya, and may be reached at [email protected] ** This is the personal opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of Malay Mail.
Malay Mail
16 hours ago
- Malay Mail
‘No Tantra, no magic mushrooms': eHati founders deny un-Islamic practice claims
KUALA LUMPUR, July 15 — The founders of eHati International Sdn Bhd have denied allegations that their programmes promote teachings that deviate from Islamic principles. In a media statement, Diyana Tahir and Rahim Shukor said the accusations against them were based on viral social media posts that they claimed were misleading and unverified. They said several posts made by a Facebook account identified as Masyitah Ashari had triggered public criticism against eHati since July 2. 'We wish to clarify that we have never received any complaints from any participant regarding the content or implementation of our programmes,' the founders said. According to the statement, eHati denied claims that it incorporated elements from other religious rituals, such as Tantra, stating that its therapy modules were based on hypnotherapy, breathwork, and Neuro-Linguistic Programming. They said the modules were designed to support women in managing emotional and psychological challenges and did not conflict with Islamic teachings or social values. 'In or around November 2022, we attended a session with Jais to explain a programme we had conducted. After we gave a detailed explanation, Jais accepted it and informed us that the programme could continue,' the statement said. The founders added that they accepted Jais' advice to include a disclaimer to ensure participants clearly understood the programme's objectives. They further said that eHati's programmes do not undermine the role of marriage or the family institution and are intended to help women improve their relationships. The statement also addressed concerns about a drink promoted by the group, stating it was a blend of raw cocoa, honey, and natural spices, and did not contain any banned substances or 'magic mushrooms'. They urged the authorities to verify the accuracy of information from social media before issuing any statements or taking action.
Malay Mail
17 hours ago
- Malay Mail
Rakan KKM: No friend to those in need
JULY 15 — Public hospitals were never meant to resemble private hospitals. They exist precisely because profit-driven care leaves people behind. Yet with Rakan KKM, we are asked to accept the idea that the same tax-funded wards can be quietly turned into pay-per-use zones, where money determines how quickly you see a doctor. This is not some academic worry. Private hospitals exist to make money; no one disputes it. But public hospitals are built on a simple promise: when you are sick, you are equal to everyone else. That is not a sentimental slogan. It is the only reason taxpayers agree to fund a system meant to serve all, not just the fortunate. So why is the government so determined to blur that line? Why, just as subsidies are being clawed back and new taxes are piled onto families already stretched thin, must Malaysians be told they should pay extra for the privilege of timely care in hospitals they already own? And what of the resources this will quietly consume? Specialists and nurses are not idling in abundance. They are already stretched so thin that entire wards function on life support. In the Klang Valley hospitals, nurse-to-patient ratios sit at 1 to 10, far below safe standards, while over 20 per cent of specialist positions remain vacant. Yet we are told this scheme will have no impact. As if time and skill can be conjured out of nothing and from nowhere. As if rationing what little manpower exists to serve paying patients is somehow not a form of abandonment. Proponents call this pragmatism. A necessary compromise to stop the talent exodus. But when did it become acceptable policy to imitate everything we once criticised? If public hospitals now run on 'pay more, get more,' what sets them apart from private hospitals except the logo over the door? Is it only a question of which government-linked company gets to collect the fees? Imagine if a government school declared that to keep the best teachers, it would sell 'premium education plans' to the wealthy for faster grading, smaller classes, better facilities. In Klang Valley hospitals, nurse-to-patient ratios sit at 1 to 10, far below safe standards, while over 20 per cent of specialist positions remain vacant. — Picture by Raymond Manuel Would we call that modernisation? Or would we recognise it as the thin end of the wedge? Or picture the fire department offering 'express response packages,' promising to save homes that have signed up and paid first. Would we nod approvingly and call that innovation? Should the police auction off faster investigations to crime victims who can afford a premium plan? Rakan KKM is not simply a new revenue stream. It is a confession that the government no longer believes public goods can survive without a market price tag attached. That citizens must pay twice, once in taxes, again at the counter, to claim the care they have already funded. If public hospitals and private hospitals become indistinguishable in practice, why pretend there is still any difference in principle? What becomes of the promise that no Malaysian would be left behind just because they cannot pay? We are told this is not privatisation. Perhaps on paper it isn't. But in spirit, it is something worse: a slow surrender. A cynical rebranding of inequality as reform. Next time the ministry calls healthcare a right, they should add the footnote: terms and conditions, and your wallet, apply.
