Page 120 - 2023 eMag Final Draft

Each year, about ten million people die from cancer; forward. Their overwhelming support the question still lingers in everyone’s
it is one of the most significant health problems in the towards the study garnered the gratitude
world. In the new era of medical developments, news of of the scientists. Hence, Anna’s initials and
up-and-coming improvements in cancer treatment has birth year was included in the name of the
been making its rounds on the internet. The hunt for the drug.
cure has been perpetual and relentless, yet over the years,
a groundbreaking discovery has not surfaced. Therefore, Onto the vital question, how does this
researchers and pharmaceutical corporations are in a drug work? The drug specifically targets a
never-ending pursuit of more effective treatments. protein called PCNA that is present in all
cells in the body and is involved in DNA
A cancer-killing pill has been circulating widely replication. A mutated version exists in
on the web and has scientists excited that they may have cancer cells which allows tumours to grow
found the “holy grail” when it comes to cancer research. and multiply uncontrollably in the body.
Now, a new cutting-edge anticancer drug shows promising Playing a crucial role in causing cancer
results in annihilating all solid tumours. cells to die, yet also leaving healthy cells
unharmed, the drug is able to selectively
Mary Jo Nye, a breast cancer survivor from the US, target caPCNA, a protein that is responsible
said that upon hearing the news of this possible cancer for DNA replications of the cancerous
breakthrough, her interest was piqued. Three years ago, cells. Through identifying and inhibiting a
specific protein that is pivotal for survival
and augmentation of cancer cells, it stops
the growth of the tumour.
AOH1996: What sets this drug apart from typical
cancer treatments is that it only targets
In The Abyss of Cancer, cancer cells and leaves the healthy cells
untouched, resulting in minimal side
A Beacon of Hope Shines effects. The usual treatments on the market
are double-edged swords. Even if it works
as an effective approach, healthy cells are
not spared in the process, making your
Written by Isaac Lim Ee Chen Jr3Z(3) body weaker while in a critical situation.
Luckily, in the case of AOH1996, it makes
after she was diagnosed with breast cancer, she had gone through a double mastectomy. use of targeted therapy, which makes the
This pill gives some hope that future patients may not have to go through the same medication even more revolutionary.
experience as her.
Pre-clinical trials showed
Has the world been blessed with a miracle? Has the elixir finally been found? Is a that the drug is effective on 70
cure for cancer finally coming? different tumours associated
with breast, prostate, brain,
This experimental drug is called AOH1996 and was developed by the City of lung, and other different
Hope National Medical Centre in California, USA. The origin of the name comes from cancers. The drug has already
Anna Olivia Healey, who was an unfortunate victim of neuroblastoma in 2006. After been proven successful when
Anna’s passing, her family made great financial contributions that propelled the research tested on animals. However,
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mind: will it work competently on humans
as well? Despite this slight drawback, it
is still a sign of promise and a symbol of
hope for those hoping for a cure. Phase 1
of clinical trials on humans have started,
and bright prospects are lighting the path.
While this is a remarkable stride towards
the ultimate goal of curing cancer once and
for all, the battle is far from over. Through
determination, resilience and passion,
the medical sector will continue to defy
the standards of human possibilities and
bounds of medicine. With every promising
result, a patient somewhere in the world
triumphs against cancer. May we one day
thrive in a world like that.
References:
AOH1996 for the Treatment of Refractory Solid
Tumors. Identifier NCT05227326. Sources U.S.
National Library of Medicine, 2022-. https://
clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT05227326
Gu L, Li M, Li CM, Haratipour P, Lingeman R,
Jossart J, Gutova M, Flores L, Hyde C, Kenjić
N, Li H, Chung V, Li H, Lomenick B, Von Hoff
DD, Synold TW, Aboody KS, Liu Y, Horne D,
Hickey RJ, Perry JJP, Malkas LH. Small molecule
targeting of transcription-replication conflict
for selective chemotherapy. Cell Chem Biol.
2023 Oct 19;30(10):1235-1247.e6. doi: 10.1016/j.
chembiol.2023.07.001. Epub 2023 Aug 1. PMID:
37531956; PMCID: PMC10592352.
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