Israeli scientists have identified a new drug candidate that could reshape the fight against lung cancer by targeting tumors without harming healthy cells, Hebrew University of Jerusalem announced on Monday.
The compound, known as AVJ16, blocks a cancer-driving protein called IGF2BP1, which is found in many aggressive tumors but not in healthy adult tissue. By shutting down this protein, researchers say AVJ16 halts tumor growth, prevents spread, and triggers cancer cell death while sparing normal lung tissue.
“What excites us about AVJ16 is its precision,” said Prof. Joel K. Yisraeli of the Hebrew University Hadassah Medical School, whose lab led the study. “Unlike traditional chemotherapy that harms both cancerous and healthy cells, this molecule zeroes in on tumors carrying IGF2BP1, making it a highly promising candidate for future targeted therapies.”
Lung cancer is one of the most common forms of cancer. According to the World Cancer Research Fund, more than 2.4 million new cases of lung cancer were reported worldwide. Despite advances in surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, and various drugs, the five-year survival rate for lung cancer is approximately 22% in the U.S., according to the National Institutes of Health.