A cure for the flu is expected to be on the market within two years following almost two decades of drug testing and research, according to Dr Fred de Looze, acting director of the University's General Practice Unit at Inala.
Over the past four years, Dr de Looze and his team have been involved in testing a new drug, GG167, which inhibits the regeneration of influenza viruses by blocking an enzyme which allows viruses to break out of cells to invade others.
The drug was developed during the 1980s through the work of researchers at the Australian National University in Canberra, the CSIRO and Monash University in Melbourne. These researchers were awarded the Australian Prize for Scientific Research Benefiting Humanity in 1996.
Australian biotechnical company Biota Holdings, and the pharmaceutical giant Glaxo Wellcome have been responsible for its further development and testing.
Dr De Looze said the drug had the potential to benefit individuals with influenza as well as unaffected individuals in the community.
Although the drug did not directly act as a prophylactic agent, preventing the spread of influenza from one person to another, he said it helped reduce the amount of circulating virus.
'This drug actually inhibits the virus' activity. By inhibiting viral release you do not get the same quantity of virus particles circulating or being coughed into the air,' Dr de Looze said.
'We've had a good season recruiting patients for testing in Australia this year, and the testing is now sufficient at both national and international levels to attempt to get the drug approved and on the market, hopefully by late next year or early 1999.'
However, after holding the position as Australia's leading flu patient recruiting centre in 1995 and 1996, Dr de Looze said it was 'rather embarrassing' that only 24 out of a national total of 414 patients had been recruited in Queensland this year.
He said one of the biggest challenges had been distinguishing between genuine influenza and other circulating respiratory viruses such as the common cold.
'Last year we had a moderately severe flu epidemic up here, but the virus really hasn't been able to disseminate in the same way this year because the weather has been warm and dry.
'While we had a very poor season, it obviously was a good time for southern holiday makers to come up and enjoy the Queensland weather.'
Dr de Looze said the University's General Practice Unit at Inala was one of six Australian university-based research centres chosen to recruit patients for testing, this year, enabling the University to further strengthen its community service role.
He said it was also exciting that Glaxo Wellcome was considering the testing of GG167 to determine whether it could be used as a prophylactic agent.
'Then, if someone has the flu, people in regular contact, particularly in a family situation, could start taking the drug as a preventive measure.'
According to the Melbourne-based World Health Association reference centre, this winter's flu hit hardest in Melbourne and Sydney, where some doctors claimed it was the worst season for 10 years.
For more information contact Dr Fred de Looze on (telephone 07 3275 5444)
