Smart cancer drug RK-251 developed in India kindles hope of replacing chemotherapy

Guwahati (Assam): Scientists from the Institute of Advanced Study in Science and Technology (IASST) and the Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati (IIT Guwahati) have developed a novel targeted cancer drug candidate, RK-251, designed to activate selectively within malignant cells while sparing healthy tissue.

Unlike conventional chemotherapy, which routinely attacks healthy cells alongside cancerous ones and triggers severe adverse effects, RK-251 functions as an inactive prodrug during circulation. Upon entering cancer cells, which typically exhibit elevated levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS), the heightened ROS environment triggers the drug’s activation.

Once activated, RK-251 releases a potent anti-cancer compound called NBDHEX. This active agent inhibits survival and resistance-promoting proteins that cancer cells rely on to thrive.

In preclinical investigations, RK-251 demonstrated strong efficacy against aggressive triple-negative breast cancer cell lines, while showing significantly lower toxicity toward non-cancerous cells. Subsequent behavioural and safety assessments conducted on zebrafish embryos (Danio rerio) revealed no observable toxic effects and confirmed the expected ROS-triggered fluorescence. Further extensive preclinical testing is required before the compound can advance to clinical trials in humans. The study's findings have been published in the ACS Journal of Medicinal Chemistry.