Tag: Procaspase-activating compound-1 (PAC-1)

Researchers at the U. of I. first identified PAC-1 as a potential anti-cancer compound in the early 2000s when they discovered that it could switch on a pathway that is suppressed in cancer cells. The first step of this pathway involves the conversion of procaspase-3, a protein found in most cells, into caspase-3, an enzyme that, when activated, initiates programmed cell death.

Led by chemistry professor Paul Hergenrother, the U. of I. team also recognized that procaspase-3 occurs in greater abundance in many cancer cells relative to healthy tissues. That characteristic, along with its tendency to not be activated in cancer cells, made it a good target for anti-cancer therapies.

31Jan 2023 by Ronny Allan No Comments

Phase I study of procaspase-activating compound-1 (PAC-1) in the treatment of advanced malignancies (incl NET)

Phase I study of procaspase-activating compound-1 (PAC-1) in the treatment of advanced malignancies (incl NET)

Clinical Trials and Research

Trial SummaryThis interesting trial is a multi-cancer effort including NET. The phase I clinical trial of Procaspase Activating Compound-1 (PAC-1), a drug that spurs programmed cell death in cancer cells, found only minor side effects in patients with end-stage cancers. The drug stalled the growth of tumors in the five people in the trial with neuroendocrine cancers and reduced tumor size in two of those patients. It also showed some therapeutic activity against sarcomas, scientists and clinicians report in the British Journal of Cancer. As of March 1, 2019, only patients with neuroendocrine tumors will be enrolled in Component 1 of this study. PAC-1 is taken orally on days 1-21 of a 28-day cycle. The maximum tolerated dose (MTD) of PAC-1 (5 dose levels) will be determined using a modified-Fibonacci…

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