Question

Three promising candidate compounds (X, Y and Z) were analysed in a drug-screening project to identify a novel potent compound against lung cancer. The following graph shows efficacies of these compounds in killing cancerous and normal cells.
Based on the given data, which of the following has the best prospect to be a useful drug?

• A. Compound X
• B. Compound Y
• C. Mixture of compounds X and Y
• D. Compound Z

Answer 1

Answer: (B)

Compound Y

From the given graph, it is seen that 10 nm of compound X is required to kill the cancerous cells. Similarly, 20 nm of compound Y and 30 nm of compound Z is required to kill the cancerous cells. However, these drugs are also showing adverse effect on the normal cells. Even 13 nm of compound X is killing normal cells. Similarly, 45 nm of compound Y and 40 nm of compound Z are killing normal cells. Although compound x is more potent against cancerous cell, it is not best drug as it is affecting normal cells as well. Compound Z is least potent drug. Hence, out of the given compounds, compound Y is more efficient requiring less concentration to be effective against cancerous drugs and least acting on normal cells.

Thus, the correct answer is option B.