In a significant breakthrough, researchers at City of Hope have developed a pioneering cancer drug, AOH1996, demonstrating its ability to selectively eliminate cells from a diverse range of solid tumors while sparing healthy cells.

The drug, named after Anna Olivia Healey, who succumbed to neuroblastoma at the age of 9 in 1996, targets an elusive cancer-causing variant of the proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) protein.

PCNA, integral to DNA synthesis and repair, assumes a cancer-associated form that fuels cancer cell growth, making it an attractive target for anti-cancer therapies. Professor Linda Malkas, the senior author of the study, likened AOH1996 to a snowstorm shutting down a key airline hub, selectively halting the growth of cancer cells.

The drug underwent successful testing in over 70 cancer cell lines, including breast, prostate, brain, ovarian, and lung cancers, without disrupting the reproductive cycle of healthy stem cells. AOH1996 works by targeting transcription–replication conflicts, preventing damaged DNA cells from dividing and leading to apoptosis in cancer cells.

Dr. Long Gu, lead author of the study, highlighted the groundbreaking nature of targeting PCNA, previously deemed "undruggable." The investigational drug not only exhibited efficacy as a monotherapy but also enhanced the sensitivity of cancer cells to the widely used chemotherapy drug cisplatin.

In mouse experiments with implanted tumors, AOH1996 significantly reduced tumor burden, both as a standalone treatment and in combination with the chemotherapy drug irinotecan. The positive results prompted the drug's progression into a Phase 1 clinical trial at City of Hope, marking a significant step towards potentially revolutionizing cancer treatment.

The researchers emphasize the need for further clinical studies to validate the drug's efficacy in human cancer treatment. The news of AOH1996's success adds to the growing momentum in innovative cancer medicines, providing new hope in the ongoing battle against cancer.