Researchers at the City of Hope, a renowned cancer research and treatment center in California, have developed a potential cancer-killing pill that specifically targets and eliminates solid tumors while leaving healthy cells unharmed. The drug, called AOH1996, has shown promising results in preclinical trials and is now being tested in a Phase 1 clinical trial with human patients.
The study, titled Small Molecule Targeting of Transcription-Replication Conflict for Selective Chemotherapy, was published in the Cell Chemical Biology journal on August 1. The research team, led by Linda Malkas, has been working on the development of AOH1996 for over two decades. The drug is named after Anna Olivia Healey, who tragically lost her life to the rare cancer neuroblastoma at the age of 9 in 1996.
According to the City of Hope, AOH1996 shows the potential to eliminate all types of solid tumors. The drug selectively disrupts DNA replication and repair in cancer cells by targeting a cancerous variant of the protein called proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA). PCNA plays a critical role in the replication and repair of DNA in cancer cells.
The unique mechanism of AOH1996 sets it apart from other targeted cancer therapies. While most therapies focus on a single pathway, allowing cancer cells to mutate and develop resistance, AOH1996 specifically targets the mutated forms of PCNA. This targeted approach has shown promising results in suppressing tumor growth without causing any discernible side effects.
The researchers discovered that AOH1996 selectively kills cancer cells by disrupting their reproductive cycle, without affecting the reproductive cycle of healthy stem cells. Moreover, the drug has been found to enhance the sensitivity of cancer cells to other DNA-damaging agents like cisplatin, a commonly used chemotherapy drug. This suggests that AOH1996 could potentially be used in combination therapies and aid in the development of new chemotherapeutics.
While PCNA has previously been considered undruggable for targeted therapy, the research conducted at the City of Hope has overcome this challenge. The team aims to gain a deeper understanding of the process and further personalize and target cancer medicines.
Although AOH1996 is still in the early stages of clinical testing, the initial results have been promising. Researchers are hopeful that this cancer-killing pill could revolutionize cancer treatment and provide a more effective and targeted approach against various solid tumors. However, further trials, including large-scale clinical trials, are required to assess its safety, efficacy, and applicability on a wider scale.
In their pursuit of finding novel ways to combat cancer, the researchers at the City of Hope have paved the way for potentially groundbreaking treatments. Their dedication to developing targeted therapies and their success in targeting PCNA with AOH1996 offer hope for a future where cancer can be effectively treated while sparing healthy cells from harm.
