Clinical trials of the anti-cancer agent PAC-1 are continuing to expand, thanks to a $7 million angel investment from an anonymous contributor who originally invested $4 million to help get the compound this far in the drug-approval pipeline.
Despite dramatic advances in diagnostics and treatment, cancer still accounts for nearly 1 in 4 U.S. deaths, as well as over half of disease-related pet mortality. Using translational approaches to discover new and effective treatments for both is the goal of new research theme Anticancer Discovery from Pets to People (ACPP) at the Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology. Led by Professor of Chemistry Paul Hergenrother, ACPP will leverage discoveries proved in companion animals such as cats and dogs with cancer to pioneer new drugs and novel targets to treat human cancers.
A new drug that prompts cancer cells to self-destruct while sparing healthy cells is now entering phase I clinical trials in humans. The drug, called PAC-1, first showed promise in the treatment of pet dogs with spontaneously occurring cancers, and is still in clinical trials in dogs with osteosarcoma.
