NEW YORK: A groundbreaking “cancer-killing pill” named AOH1996 has emerged from early research, showing potential to effectively eliminate solid tumors while sparing healthy cells. Developed over two decades in collaboration with the City of Hope, a prominent cancer research and treatment organization, the drug is currently undergoing pre-clinical research in the United States.
AOH1996 targets a cancerous variant of the protein proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), a crucial player in DNA replication and the repair of growing tumors. Professor Linda Malkas, one of the researchers involved in the drug’s development, likened PCNA to a major airline terminal hub with multiple gates. The drug is designed to selectively target the altered form of PCNA found in cancer cells, effectively shutting down cancer cell growth.
Effectiveness of Cancer Drug
Although the research has, thus far, been limited to subduing tumor growth in cell and animal models, the initial results have been highly promising. Now, the drug has entered the first phase of clinical trials to assess its efficacy in humans. The early trials have demonstrated effectiveness against cells derived from various cancer types, including breast, prostate, brain, ovarian, cervical, skin, and lung cancers.
The significance of this breakthrough lies in the fact that PCNA was previously deemed “undruggable,” meaning it was challenging to develop drugs specifically targeting this protein. With AOH1996’s potential to selectively and effectively attack cancer cells, the drug opens new possibilities for more personalized and targeted cancer treatments in the future.
The advancement of AOH1996 in human trials offers hope for a transformative approach to cancer treatment. Should the drug prove successful in these trials, it could potentially revolutionize cancer therapy and provide a more effective and tailored treatment option for patients with solid tumors.
