Researchers at Yıldız Technical University have developed a new active pharmaceutical ingredient that successfully destroys cervical cancer cells in a laboratory setting. Animal testing will soon begin for the compound, which was synthesized with the goal of reducing the severe side effects of chemotherapy and has been granted an international patent.

According to World Health Organization (WHO) data, more than 660,000 cases occur worldwide each year, and more than 2,500 in Turkey, and it results in over 350,000 deaths globally. A significant scientific step has now been taken in Turkey toward the treatment of this disease. A research team led by Prof. Dr. Mevlüde Canlıca, a faculty member in the Department of Chemistry at Yıldız Technical University (YTÜ), has synthesized a new active ingredient that directly targets cancer cells.

Success with 75-Year-Old "HeLa" Cells 

The green-colored pure compound, developed through laboratory studies, was tested on one of the most resilient forms of cancer in the medical world. In laboratory tests (in vitro) conducted on the immortal “HeLa” cervical cancer cells—originally obtained from Henrietta Lacks in 1951 and used in scientific research worldwide—it was reported that the new compound successfully destroyed the cancerous structures.

"Our ultimate goal is to improve the patient’s quality of life"

Prof. Dr. Mevlüde Canlıca, who discussed the details of the study on Habertürk, stated that the synthesized pure substance has the potential to eliminate severe side effects—one of the biggest challenges in the field of oncology.

“In current chemotherapy methods, while cancer cells are destroyed, healthy tissues are also damaged, which can lead to severe complications in patients,” said Canlıca, adding that the new compound they developed—for which they have obtained an international patent—successfully inhibits cancer cells in a laboratory setting.

Sharing his predictions regarding the future application of the active ingredient, Canlıca emphasized the following: 

"Our ultimate goal is to advance this active ingredient to clinical trials in order to minimize unwanted side effects caused by cancer drugs, such as nausea, vomiting, or heart fatigue. We aim to enable our patients to resume their daily lives much more comfortably after their treatment sessions. I hope our drug will enter production as soon as possible and bring hope to our cancer patients."

Animal trials are next

Scientific procedures are ongoing to transform the domestically developed drug active ingredient—which has successfully passed cell culture tests—into a commercial drug. In-vivo (live animal) animal trials will be conducted on the molecule, which is protected by an international patent, in the coming period. Following the safety and efficacy reports obtained from this phase, the plan is to move on to human clinical trials (Phase).

As Yıldız Technical University, we wholeheartedly congratulate Prof. Dr. Mevlüde Canlıca and her valuable research team for undertaking this visionary work, which holds great promise for humanity and the medical world, and we wish them continued success in the clinical phases of the project and in all their future scientific goals.