NUC-7738, a novel chemotherapy drug derived from the naturally occurring compound cordycepin found in the Himalayan fungus Cordyceps militaris, has shown promising results in early clinical trials. Cordycepin’s clinical application has been limited due to rapid breakdown by the enzyme adenosine deaminase (ADA) and its reliance on nucleoside transporters for cellular uptake. To overcome these challenges, scientists developed NUC-7738 using ProTide technology, which chemically modifies cordycepin to enhance its stability and facilitate direct entry into cancer cells without the need for transporters. This modification has resulted in a compound up to 40 times more potent than natural cordycepin, with limited toxic side effects .
In the Phase 1/2 NuTide:701 clinical trial, NUC-7738 was administered to patients with advanced solid tumors who had previously undergone multiple lines of treatment. The results were encouraging: 75% of patients experienced disease control, and one patient exhibited a 55% reduction in tumor volume. Additionally, 58% of patients achieved progression-free survival for more than five months, a notable outcome given the aggressive nature of their cancers . These findings suggest that NUC-7738, particularly when combined with immune checkpoint inhibitors like pembrolizumab, holds potential as a viable treatment option for patients with treatment-resistant cancers. Click for More Details
