Patrick Swayze's experimental treatment

Mar 26, 2008, 11:25 GMT

Patrick Swayze - wife © Lee Roth / RothStock / PR Photos

Patrick Swayze is taking an experimental drug in a bid to beat cancer.

The 'Dirty Dancing' actor - who revealed he is suffering from pancreatic cancer earlier this month - is taking Vatalanib, a new treatment being developed in the ongoing fight with the potentially fatal disease.

Dr. M. Wasif Saif, the Associate Professor of Medicine and Director of Yale University's Gastrointestinal Program, said Patrick should respond well to the drug because of his high fitness levels.

Dr. Saif told America's OK! magazine: "The drug that Patrick Swayze is taking, Vatalanib, is still in the experimental stage. But recent studies have shown promise for patients taking the drug who are in excellent physical shape."

Patrick is a keen dancer and horse rider, and his friend John Fusano insists the 55-year-old is in great physical shape.

Fusano, who owns the East Valley Feed and Tack company, said: "Patrick orders supplies for his horses from us. I haven't seen him in a while, but he's a strapping giant of a man. He's got tree trunks for legs!"

Vatalanib blocks the growth and spread of cancer by affecting molecules specifically involved in carcinogenesis - the process which turns normal cells into cancerous cells.

Experimental drugs are generally only used on patients suffering from a terminal illness.

Patrick's representative Dr. George Fisher has denied reports the 'Ghost' actor has only weeks to live, insisting: "All of the reports stating the timeframe of his prognosis and his physical side effects are absolutely untrue. We are considerably more optimistic."

(C) BANG Media International