A pill that reportedly kills cancer cells is now starting clinical trials on humans. The anti-cancer drug named AOH1996 attacks a variant of the cancer protein known as proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA). In laboratory tests on cancer cells and animals, AOH1996 successfully reduced the size of tumors.
Cancer cells before treatment (left). Cancer cells after treatment AOH1996 (right) – credit City of Hope
PCNA variants in their mutated form are crucial in DNA replication and repair of all developing tumors. By inhibiting the cancerous variant of PCNA, tumor progression can be slowed. The treatment method using AOH1996 was developed by Linda Malkas a researcher at City of Hope, over 20 years ago.
According to researchers, the PCNA variant is like an airport terminal hub that "flies" cancer cells throughout the body. AOH1996 acts like a blizzard that closes these terminals and kills the tumor.
Pre-clinical tests in animals show promising results in breast, prostate, brain, ovarian, uterine and lung cancer cells. Therefore, the first phase clinical trials in humans are being conducted to see its effectiveness on humans.
Last year City of Hope also started clinical trials of cancer treatment on humans using VAXINIA's CF33-hNIS virus. This virus will attack cancer cells before they reproduce and kill other cancer cells without attacking other healthy body cells.