(Ivanhoe Newswire) -- Researchers say their discovery of a new compound could improve chemotherapy.

Researchers from Michigan State University in East Lansing discovered the compound known as SP-4-84. They believe the compound, when used in conjunction with chemotherapy drugs such as cisplatin and camptothecin, can make the anti-cancer drugs much more effective.

Results from their study show over 48 hours, small amounts of SP-4-84 made camptothecin 75-times more effective. The compound sensitizes cancer cells to chemotherapeutics by blocking the cancer cell's ability to survive the damage caused by chemotherapeutic drugs. However, this was only true for cancerous cells. When researchers used the compound on non-cancerous cells, there was no effect.

Researchers say, "This may potentially mean that one could use less than one-tenth of the current drug dosage and still get the same therapeutic results -- but fewer side effects -- or use the same drug dosage, which is now much more effective in its treatment."

Most anti-cancer drugs work by causing cell damage, which ultimately kills the cancer cells. However, cancer cells are also prone to repair themselves and survive the damage from drugs, which lowers the drugs' effectiveness.

Researchers conclude, "As with all new discoveries, much more work needs to be done to evaluate the potential of this compound for its ability to improve conventional therapeutic treatment."