Stanford University scientists have achieved a groundbreaking feat by devising a swift and sustainable process for synthesizing the cancer-fighting compound EBC-46 in a laboratory setting. This achievement is significant as the compound's scarcity resulted from its exclusive natural source, a plant species native to a small rainforest region in Northeastern Australia. EBC-46, also known as tigilanol tiglate, operates by stimulating a localized immune response against tumors, causing them to disintegrate and leading to the demise of cancer cells. Encouraged by its remarkable efficacy in treating canine cancer, EBC-46 has progressed to human clinical trials.
The compound's intricate structure previously rendered synthetic production seemingly unattainable. However, the Stanford research team introduced a clever method, demonstrating for the first time how to chemically convert abundant plant-based materials into EBC-46. Remarkably, this process can generate EBC-46 "analogues" – chemically akin compounds with the potential to treat a wide array of severe ailments, including AIDS, multiple sclerosis, and Alzheimer's disease. These diseases share biological pathways affected by EBC-46's target, the crucial enzyme protein kinase C (PKC).
Professor Paul Wender, the lead author, expressed his excitement regarding the scalable synthesis of EBC-46. He emphasized the expansive prospects it unveils for both research and clinical applications.
Source: Hadhazy, Adam. Stanford News. "Breakthrough in the production of an acclaimed cancer-treating drug achieved by Stanford researchers". https://news.stanford.edu/2022/10/03/breakthrough-production-acclaimed-cancer-treating-drug/. 03/10/22 [Date accessed: 04/10/22]
Edited by: Arnav Dhavale.
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