In a significant step forward in cancer research, a groundbreaking “cancer-killing pill” has demonstrated its potential to “annihilate” solid tumors while leaving healthy cells unaffected. Developed over the course of two decades, the drug, known as AOH1996, targets a specific cancerous variant of a protein called proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA). This promising innovation is currently undergoing pre-clinical research in the United States.
PCNA plays a crucial role in DNA replication and the repair of expanding tumors. In its mutated form, it becomes especially critical in the growth and spread of cancer cells. The uniqueness of PCNA’s alteration in cancer cells became the foundation for designing AOH1996, a drug that exclusively targets the cancerous form of PCNA.
Image: City Of Hope
Professor Linda Malkas, the lead researcher behind the drug’s development at the City of Hope, one of America’s leading cancer research and treatment institutions, likened the mechanism of AOH1996 to a snowstorm that shuts down a major airline hub, halting all flights only for planes carrying cancer cells. This targeted approach aims to minimize damage to healthy cells, a common challenge faced by conventional cancer treatments.
Promising Results
Although the initial results are encouraging, AOH1996 has so far only been tested in cell and animal models, where it successfully suppressed tumor growth. The drug has shown effectiveness in treating various cancer types, including breast, prostate, brain, ovarian, cervical, skin, and lung cancers. Now, with the commencement of the first phase of a clinical trial in humans, researchers are hopeful to witness its potential impact in a real-world setting.
Untreated cancer cells (left) and cells treated with the new drug (right). (Image: City of Hope)
Overcoming an “Undruggable” Challenge
PCNA was previously considered “undruggable,” meaning conventional methods of drug development were unable to target it effectively. The breakthrough with AOH1996 presents new possibilities for creating personalized and targeted cancer medicines. By selectively attacking cancerous PCNA, this drug opens the door to a more tailored and efficient approach to cancer treatment.
The success of AOH1996’s pre-clinical research instills hope among scientists and patients alike. As the drug advances through clinical trials, it could pave the way for a new era of cancer therapy. If proven successful, AOH1996 may become a game-changer in the fight against solid tumors and usher in a wave of innovative treatments that provide better outcomes for cancer patients.
In the ongoing quest to conquer cancer, AOH1996 stands as a beacon of progress, promising a future where cancer may no longer be a formidable adversary.