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Article: Promising drug for cancer treatment begins clinical trials

Summary

Researchers at City of Hope are testing a new type of cancer treatment drug. When tested in animals and cells taken from human cancers, this new drug prevented the growth of many types of cancer. Initial clinical trials in people have just started. (Posted 9/7/23)

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Promising drug for cancer treatment begins clinical trials
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RELEVANCE

Most relevant for: People with solid tumors..
It may also be relevant for:

  • people with metastatic or advanced cancer

Relevance: Medium-Low

Quality of Writing: Medium

Research Timeline: Animal Studies

Relevance Rating Details

What is this article about?

This article describes the first studies in animals and human cells of a new drug for cancer treatment.

Why are we reviewing this article?

This review covers a press release about early research at City of Hope on a new type of cancer treatment drug called AOH1996. The research involved early lab studies that were done before human clinical trials. More years of research will be needed to learn whether this approach will work in people. However, several news outlets covered the story, leading people to believe the drug would be available soon. 

What is AOH1996 and how does it work?

AOH1996 targets PCNA (proliferating cell nuclear antigen), a protein that is present in all dividing cells. Because AOH1996 blocks PCNA, this type of drug is called a  PCNA inhibitor. Since all dividing cells, including cancer cells, have this protein, this drug may be able to treat many types of cancer.

These early tests suggest that AOH1996 may target cancer cells while sparing normal cells. New approaches like this might expand the options for cancer treatment and potentially reduce how many cancers return after treatment.

Study findings

  • To date, all of the studies on AOH1996 have been in the lab in animals or isolated cells.
    • AOH1996 prevents cells taken from human cancers from growing. It was effective on cells from breast, , brain, ovarian, cervical, skin and lung cancers. In lab tests, healthy cells were unharmed.
    • In the lab, this drug works either by itself or when combined with standard chemotherapy drugs.
    • When used alone, AOH1996 can prevent tumors of the nervous system, breast or lung from growing in mice.
  • AOH1996 has not yet been tested in people; lab research has been done only in animals and isolated cells. More research is needed to learn how this drug works and whether it is safe and useful in humans.
    • The first small clinical trial in humans has started. No information is available yet on the safety or usefulness of this drug.

What does this mean for me?

This drug is only available through a clinical trial to test if it is safe and useful in humans. It will likely be a few years before we know whether this treatment will work in people. Currently, the study is only enrolling people with advanced cancers who have no further treatment options available. The study is open at City of Hope near Los Angeles, California and may open at additional sites in the future. Contact [email protected] for more information about participating in the study.

Reference

Leffman J and Fidler K. Cancer-killing pill that annihilates tumours hailed as 'holy grail' breakthrough. METRO via MSN.com; 2023; Published online Aug 4, 2023.

Gu et al., Small molecule targeting of transcription-replication conflict for selective chemotherapy. Cell Chemical Biology; 2023; 30:1–13. Published online August 1, 2023. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chembiol.2023.07.001

Clinicaltrials.gov: AOH1996 for the Treatment of Refractory . 

Disclosure: FORCE receives funding from industry sponsors, including companies that manufacture cancer drugs, tests and devices. All XRAYS articles are written independently of any sponsor and are reviewed by members of our Scientific Advisory Board prior to publication to assure scientific integrity.

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posted 9/7/23

Questions To Ask Your Doctor
Questions To Ask Your Doctor

  • Do I qualify for this clinical study?
  • What other clinical trials might be appropriate for me?

Who covered this study?

Innovation Origins

The development of cancer drug AOH1996: Two decades in the making This article rates 3.5 out of 5 stars

New York Post

New cancer hope as a pill ‘annihilates all solid tumors’ — thanks to this little girl This article rates 2.5 out of 5 stars

Technology Networks Drug Discovery

Cancer Drug Selectively Kills Tumor Cells in Preclinical Study This article rates 2.5 out of 5 stars

Fierce Biotech

City of Hope's cancer-killing pill works like a snowstorm shutting down an airport This article rates 2.0 out of 5 stars

Jerusalem Post

US researchers develop revolutionary 'cancer-killing' pill This article rates 1.5 out of 5 stars

MSN.com

Cancer-killing pill that annihilates tumours hailed as 'holy grail' breakthrough This article rates 1.5 out of 5 stars

How we rated the media

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Article Rating Details

Innovation Origins: The development of cancer drug AOH1996: Two decades in the making
Rating: 3.5 Stars

  • This article provides a good description of the research and its limitations. It is not overblown, unlike some other media on this topic.
  • The language in the article is technical at times, which may make it more difficult to read. However, the writing is logical and flows clearly.
  • Only researchers from this study are cited. No external experts are quoted.

New York Post: New cancer hope as a pill ‘annihilates all solid tumors’ — thanks to this little girl
Rating: 2.5 Stars

  • The headline is exaggerated. It incorrectly implies that the drug has been tested in people. However, the body of the article is accurate.
  • Some background information about the research is included.
  • Only researchers from this study are cited. No external experts are quoted.
  • There is no critical evaluation of this work.
  • This article is fairly easy to read.

Technology Networks Drug Discovery: Cancer Drug Selectively Kills Tumor Cells in Preclinical Study
Rating: 2.5 Stars

  • The headline and lede appropriately note that this is early research.
  • Only researchers from this study are cited. No external experts are quoted.
  • There is no critical evaluation of this work.
  • It is difficult to read because of the technical language used.

Fierce Biotech: City of Hope's cancer-killing pill works like a snowstorm shutting down an airport
Rating: 2.0 Stars

  • This article is overblown. The headline incorrectly implies that the drug is used in people. The body of the article is clearer.
  • Only researchers from this study are cited. No external experts are quoted.
  • There is no critical evaluation of this work.
  • It is difficult to read because of the technical language used.

Jerusalem Post: US researchers develop revolutionary 'cancer-killing' pill
Rating: 1.5 Stars

  • This article is overblown. The headline incorrectly implies that the drug is used in people. The lede indicates that this drug might control metastasis, but no data supports that claim.
  • Only researchers from this study are cited. No external experts are quoted.
  • There is no critical evaluation of this work.
  • It is difficult to read because of the technical language used.

MSN.com: Cancer-killing pill that annihilates tumours hailed as 'holy grail' breakthrough
Rating:  1.5 Stars

  • The headline and lede are exaggerated. They incorrectly imply that this drug is used in people.
  • Statements such as "…will continue to be taken in pill form" imply that information on human studies is available, when it is not.
  • Only researchers from this study are cited. No external experts are quoted.
  • There is no critical evaluation of this work.

Study Rating Details

Relevance: Medium-Low

  • This article discusses a new type of drug. Because this drug is not yet available for clinical use, it has limited relevance for cancer patients. Researchers do not know whether this drug will work in people or whether it is safe. Early studies show that this drug is effective in animals and on isolated cells. More information from clinical trials is needed to understand if it is helpful in people.

Quality of Article: Medium-Low

  • The article describes early research. It implies that this drug may be helpful clinically, but it does not clarify that information that it is currently unavailable.
  • The article refers to published early research studies. These studies were well-designed and show that this drug is promising and may be a new approach to cancer treatment.
  • Only researchers who are a part of this study were quoted. No external experts were cited. The context of cancer treatment is not discussed.
  • This article is difficult to read. It uses technical language, making it hard for the general reader to understand.

Research Timeline:  Human Research

  • This describes early studies in animals and cells. The first phase 1 clinical trial has started but no information is known yet.