AOH1996, a new drug developed at City of Hope Hospital, represents a major advancement in cancer treatment.
This innovative drug is designed to target and destroy solid tumours while sparing healthy cells, a feat achieved by focusing on the proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), a protein previously considered “undruggable.”
The development of AOH1996 followed two decades of dedicated research and is named in honor of Anna Olivia Healy, a young cancer victim who passed away in 2005.
In laboratory tests, the drug has demonstrated effectiveness against 70 different cancer cell lines, including those from breast, prostate, brain, ovarian, cervical, skin, and lung cancers.
AOH1996 works by selectively disrupting DNA replication and repair in cancer cells, thereby avoiding damage to healthy cells.
This mechanism is distinct from traditional therapies, as it targets a unique form of PCNA found in cancer cells, potentially reducing the risk of drug resistance.
Currently, a Phase 1 clinical trial is underway at City of Hope to evaluate the safety and efficacy of AOH1996 in humans.
Researchers are also planning further studies to understand the drug’s mechanism more comprehensively and explore its potential in combination therapies and personalized cancer treatments.
