A new metal-free carbon monoxide prodrug, CO-116, developed by researchers at Weill Cornell Medicine, shows promise in preventing the spread of pancreatic and triple-negative breast cancer in preclinical models. - The prodrug releases controlled low doses of carbon monoxide after intravenous administration, avoiding toxic metal byproducts.
- Treatment with CO-116 significantly reduced metastatic tumor growth in the liver and lungs without signs of toxicity. - The drug works by lowering levels of the HRG1 protein, which disrupts a signaling pathway that promotes cancer cell migration.
This research offers a potential new adjuvant therapy to reduce cancer recurrence after surgery or chemotherapy, though further studies are needed before human trials.