Most cancer-related problems are caused by metastasis via attachment-free cell growth and survival. Unfortunately there has been no effective agents preventing or delaying fundamental metastatic processes. We are developing a first-of-its-kind approach targeting only detached cancer cells, leaving healthy cells unharmed.

In general, normal cells won’t survive when they detach from extracellular matrix or neighboring cells. This is due to anoikis, a safeguard cell death system to prevent abnormal cell growth. In contrast, metastatic cancer cells acquire anoikis resistance, a pre-requisite for metastasis, enabling anchorage-independent growth. As a result, most metastatic cancers can form three-dimensional (3D) spheroids and disseminate under attachment-free condition. 

Our leading candidate :D (we call it "smiley") is able to destroy cells growing in attachment-free condition (3D spheroid) while do nothing on the same cells growing in 2D monolayer. This previously unseen action differentiates it from conventional regimens. 

Great thing is that :D is "chemo-free"- it does not rely on any known chemotherapeutic drugs including DNA damaging agents and microtubule inhibitors to achieve its effect. The novel mechanism of action holds the potential of overcoming side effects and drug resistance encountered with existing anti-cancer therapeutics.

We believe that this unusual discovery could lead to a new treatment option for people in need.