PNC-27 — Research, Dosing & Price Guide

PNC-27 is a synthetic anticancer peptide consisting of an HDM-2 (MDM2) binding domain fused to a cell-penetrating peptide leader sequence. It selectively targets and kills cancer cells that overexpress HDM-2 on their surface while sparing normal cells. It represents a targeted approach to cancer-cell destruction based on exploiting the differential expression of MDM2 between cancerous and healthy tissue.

PNC-27 contains a p53 C-terminal peptide fragment that binds to HDM-2 (human double minute 2, also called MDM2), a protein frequently overexpressed on the surface of cancer cells but located intracellularly in normal cells. When PNC-27 binds to surface-expressed HDM-2 on cancer cells, it creates transmembrane pores that disrupt membrane integrity, leading to rapid necrotic cell death. This mechanism is selective: normal cells, which express HDM-2 only internally, are not affected. The attached cell-penetrating leader sequence (derived from the HIV-1 Tat protein) facilitates initial cell membrane interaction. Importantly, PNC-27's mechanism is independent of p53 status — it works regardless of whether the cancer cell's p53 is functional, mutated, or deleted.

• Kanovsky et al. (2001) in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences demonstrated PNC-27 selectively killed multiple cancer cell lines while sparing normal cells
• Research showed PNC-27 induced membranolysis (membrane destruction) in cancer cells within 30 minutes of exposure in vitro
• Studies confirmed the mechanism depends on surface expression of HDM-2 — cancer cells lacking surface HDM-2 were resistant
• Preclinical data showed activity against pancreatic cancer, breast cancer, leukemia, and melanoma cell lines
• Sookraj et al. (2010) demonstrated PNC-27 formed pores in cancer cell membranes visualized by electron microscopy

• Research use only — no established human dosing protocol
• Preclinical doses: 50–200 mcg/mL in cell culture; in vivo doses vary by animal model
• Administration route in research: intratumoral injection or systemic injection in animal models
• No clinical trials have been conducted in humans
• This peptide is strictly a research compound and should not be self-administered
• Consult an oncologist for any cancer-related treatment decisions

Known Side Effects

• No human safety data available — all evidence is preclinical
• Potential for immune activation against dying cancer cells (theoretical benefit but could cause inflammation)
• Injection site reactions in animal studies
• Unknown systemic toxicity profile in humans
• Potential for off-target effects if normal cells transiently express surface HDM-2 under stress conditions

Safety Profile

PNC-27 is a preclinical research compound with no human safety data. While its selectivity for cancer cells over normal cells is well-demonstrated in vitro and in limited animal studies, the compound has not undergone the rigorous safety testing required for clinical use. Key unknowns include pharmacokinetics in humans, potential immunogenicity, off-target effects on tissues that may transiently express surface HDM-2, and potential for tumor lysis syndrome with rapid cancer cell death. This compound should only be used in supervised research settings. It is not a substitute for established cancer therapies.

PNC-27 is a research compound not intended for self-administration. There is no clinical experience to describe a user timeline. In laboratory settings, cancer cell death occurs within 30–60 minutes of exposure at effective concentrations. In animal models, tumor regression has been observed over days to weeks with repeated administration. Any use of this compound should be within a supervised research or clinical context.

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