Mumbai: DAE launches 'AKTOCYTE' supplement to aid cancer patients

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The Department of Atomic Energy (DAE), in partnership with IDRS Labs, has introduced 'AKTOCYTE', a nutritional supplement designed to improve the quality of life for cancer patients undergoing radiotherapy. AKTOCYTE has been certified by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), according to an official statement, stated the PTI report.

The launch on Wednesday was attended by scientists from the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre in Mumbai, the Advanced Centre for Training, Research, and Education in Cancer in Navi Mumbai, Tata Memorial Hospital in Mumbai, and officials from IDRS Labs, all of whom contributed to the tablet development.

Dr Sudeep Gupta, Director of Tata Memorial Centre (TMC), stated that the creation of this tablet began around 25 years ago, the report added.

TMC doctors observed that AKTOCYTE tablets produced impressive outcomes, notably in pelvic cancer patients enduring radiotherapy side effects. Patients treated with AKTOCYTE pills recovered significantly from radiotherapy-induced toxicity.

Per the report, AKTOCYTE, a cancer radiation adjuvant, regenerative nutraceutical, immunomodulator, and antioxidant, is a significant improvement in cancer care. However, it is vital to remember that it does not replace existing cancer treatments.

Dr Gupta emphasised that, while AKTOCYTE has been licenced as a nutraceutical, more research is needed to determine its potential usage as a medicine for specific purposes.

Meanwhile, a recent study showed that women who suffer from insomnia, a sleep disorder, may be at a higher risk of developing ovarian cancer, doctors suggested on Tuesday. Insomnia is a common sleep problem that makes it difficult for a person to fall and remain asleep.

A Lancet study found that treating sleeplessness in high-grade ovarian tumours can enhance survival. The findings also suggested that addressing sleeplessness may help avoid ovarian cancer, a IANS report stated.

Cancer incidence and prevalence are rising. With the current trend, there is an urgent need to examine illness patterns and approaches to improve patient survival and quality of life.

"Sleep disorders are common among cancer patients. It may be a sleepless or abnormal sleep-wake cycle; probably more than half of the patients are affected. The patient's quality of life is negatively impacted," Dr Karthik K S, Consultant Surgical Oncology, KMC Hospital, Mangalore had earlier told IANS.