India, Aug. 23 -- Indian scientists have developed a new "smart" cancer drug designed to activate primarily inside cancer cells, potentially offering a more targeted alternative to conventional chemotherapy, which can also damage healthy cells.

Cancer treatments often affect healthy cells along with cancerous ones, resulting in significant adverse effects and side effects. This has created a growing need for targeted therapies that remain inactive in normal tissues as they travel through the body but become activated specifically at tumour sites.

Scientists have now taken an important step towards making this approach a reality.

RK-251 is designed to become active primarily inside cancer cells, while causing minimal damage to healthy c...