Novogen shares (ASX:NRT) have risen around 10 per cent after studies showed its investigational therapy, Anisina, may improve the effectiveness of chemotherapy in children.
Dr Timothy Cripe, from the Nationwide Children's Hospital Research Institute, presented the study results at a medical meeting in Boston, and said the results show Anisina significantly improved the effectiveness of the treatment of childhood tumours.
"This represents an important milestone in the development of Anisina as a combination therapy for treatment of neuroblastoma," said study program director, Justine Stehn.
Neuroblastoma is a cancer that is most frequently observed in the young with more than 90 per cent of diagnoses occurring in children under 5 years of age.
It is considered to be the most common solid tumour in children outside the brain.
"Although childhood cancers such as neuroblastoma are relatively rare compared to adult cancers, the potential years of life lost are substantial -- making it imperative that new clinical strategies are developed to treat this disease," said Novogen in a statement.