Cancer Drug Targets Tumors Without Harming Healthy Cells

Scientists at City of Hope Hospital in Los Angeles, California, have produced a new cancer medication that destroys solid tumours while preserving healthy cells.

The medicine, codenamed AOH1996, targets the protein proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), a vital component in cancer proliferation that was previously thought to be “undruggable.”

After two decades of extensive research, the medicine has demonstrated tremendous promise in laboratory studies, with efficacy against 70 different cancer cell lines, including breast, prostate, brain, ovarian, cervical, skin, and lung cancers. The work, published in Cell Chemical Biology, demonstrates AOH1996’s ability to specifically inhibit cancer cell development while sparing healthy cells.

The medicine, named after Anna Olivia Healy, a young girl who died from childhood cancer in 2005, provides new hope for patients with solid tumours. The breakthrough medication is currently being tested in a Phase 1 clinical trial at City of Hope to determine its safety and efficacy in humans.

Dr. Linda Malkas, the molecular oncologist who led the study, explained that PCNA, which is essential for DNA replication and repair, is particularly changed in cancer cells. AOH1996 preferentially targets this malignant type of PCNA, thereby inhibiting tumour growth.

“Our cancer-killing pill is like a snowstorm that shuts down flights in and out of an airport hub, but only for planes carrying cancer cells,” said Dr. Malkas, referring to the drug’s unique mechanism. Results so far have been “promising,” with the drug working effectively on its own or in combination with other cancer treatments, all without causing harmful toxicity.

Study co-author, Dr. Long Gu, added that targeting PCNA had long been considered impossible. “PCNA was viewed as ‘undruggable,’ but City of Hope developed an investigational medicine to target this challenging protein,” said Dr. Gu. “Now that we can inhibit it, we’ll dig deeper to develop more personalized, targeted cancer medicines.”

The next phases in the research will include deeper examination into the drug’s mechanism and potential in combination therapies, giving renewed hope for more personalised cancer treatments in the future.

A Gentle Reminder: Every obstacle is a stepping stone, every morning; a chance to go again, and those little steps take you closer to your dream.

Nnamdi Okoli