New drug that "orders" cancer to destroy itself

Scientists have announced a significant breakthrough in the fight against cancer, after a new experimental treatment was shown to be able to trick cancer cells into destroying themselves. Daily Mail- transmits IndeksOnline.

California-based American medical startup Neomorph announced that it has launched the first clinical trial of the drug NEO-811 for the treatment of clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC), the most common form of kidney cancer in the US. As part of the study, one patient has already received the first dose of the drug.

NEO-811 belongs to a new class of drugs called “molecular adhesives,” which are small molecules that force the interaction between disease-causing proteins and the body’s own destructive enzymes. As a result, cancer cells trigger a process of self-destruction, preventing the spread of the disease.

Unlike traditional chemotherapy, which directly attacks cancer cells, this new method directs the body to eliminate harmful proteins itself, "tagging" them as waste. According to Neomorph, this approach could reduce the long-term side effects of classic treatments, such as organ damage, neuropathy, infertility or the development of other cancers.

The goal of the clinical trial is to evaluate the effectiveness of NEO-811 in patients with advanced, inoperable ccRCC. Neomorph CEO and founder Dr. Phil Chamberlain said the first results of the study are expected later this year.

“This marks a key moment for Neomorph and represents the first clinical evaluation of a fully developed product from our platform,” he said in a press release. “The data we will generate will guide the further development of NEO-811 and confirm the potential of our technology for patients with high unmet need.”

Kidney cancer affects about 15 Americans each year and causes about 80 deaths, making it the seventh most common cancer in the U.S. The ccRCC form accounts for about 80 percent of cases and is usually diagnosed in people over 60 years old.

Neomorph recently signed a $1.6 billion deal with pharmaceutical giant AbbVie, as well as collaborations with Novo Nordisk and Biogen, to further develop the technology. The company is also considering expanding its research into other types of tumors.

It is not yet known when more patients will be included in the study and when exactly the final results will be published.