A Groundbreaking Leap in Cancer Treatment: The Development of a "Holy Grail" Cancer Drug
The new medicine, codenamed AOH1996, is named in memory of Anna Olivia Healy, a young girl who lost her battle with a deadly childhood cancer at the age of nine.
Cancer cannot cripple love, it cannot shatter hope, it cannot conquer the spirit.”
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Each year, the United States witnesses the devastating diagnosis of cancer in nearly two million individuals, leading to the loss of approximately 600,000 lives. The battle against this relentless disease is not only a physical and emotional struggle but also a financial one.
The global oncology drug market, estimated to be between $150-200 billion, stands as the largest and most profitable drug class. This immense market size reflects the high cost of cancer treatments, with some particularly effective therapies costing more than $200,000 per year.
In a monumental breakthrough, scientists at the City of Hope Hospital in Los Angeles have developed a revolutionary cancer drug that targets and eradicates all solid cancer tumors without harming healthy cells. This "holy grail" of cancer treatment focuses on a protein called the proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), previously considered 'undruggable,' that aids in tumor growth and multiplication.
The new medicine, codenamed AOH1996, is named in memory of Anna Olivia Healy, a young girl who lost her battle with a deadly childhood cancer at the age of nine. Dr. Linda Malkas, who leads the research team, was inspired to find a cure after meeting Anna's father.
The drug was tested on 70 different cancer cells, including those from breast, prostate, brain, ovarian, cervical, skin, and lung cancer, and proved effective against all. This remarkable pill is the result of 20 years of research and development and has sparked hope that cancer may be curable within the next decade.
The molecule selectively targets cancer cells, disrupting their reproductive cycle, preventing damaged DNA cells from dividing, and halting the replication of faulty DNA. This unique approach causes the cancer cells to die without affecting healthy cells.
In addition to AOH1996, an experimental breast cancer vaccine is showing promise in early trials, raising the possibility of eliminating one form of this global killer by 2030.
The drug is currently in Phase 1 clinical trials at City of Hope, where Dr. Malkas explained how the molecule selectively disrupts DNA replication and repair in cancer cells, leaving healthy cells untouched. Unlike most targeted therapies that focus on a single pathway, PCNA targets multiple pathways, shutting down all flights in and out only in planes carrying cancer cells, as Dr. Malkas metaphorically described.
The results so far have been 'promising,' as the molecule can suppress tumor growth alone or in combination with other cancer treatments 'without resulting in toxicity.'
This new therapy, stemming from two decades of research, targets a cancerous variant of PCNA, a protein critical in DNA replication and repair of all expanding tumors. The study's co-author, associate research professor Dr. Long Gu, emphasized that no one had ever targeted PCNA therapeutically before, but City of Hope managed to develop an investigational medicine for this challenging protein target.
The investigational pill also made cancer cells more susceptible to agents that cause DNA or chromosome damage, hinting that AOH1996 could be beneficial in combination therapies and new chemotherapeutics.
As the researchers continue to understand the mechanism of action better, they are optimistic about further improving the ongoing clinical trial in humans.
Moms Justice celebrates this groundbreaking discovery, recognizing its potential to transform the lives of countless mothers and families battling cancer. We stand committed to supporting those affected by this disease and advocating for accessible and compassionate care for all.
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