JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – A University of North Florida research team that discovered how to “turn off” cancer cells is advancing to the next phase of their groundbreaking work, with animal trials set to begin this fall.
The trio of researchers - Doctors Bryan Knuckley, Fatima Rehman, and Corey Causey - have spent the past year in the laboratory testing their revolutionary compound, which causes specific cancer cells to explode while having minimal to no effect on healthy cells.
The significance of their discovery lies in its targeted approach - unlike current treatments such as chemotherapy and radiation, this compound could potentially eliminate the harsh side effects typically associated with cancer treatment.
Watch the initial “Discover the Joy” podcast conversation from 2024 below:
Knuckley, who made the initial discovery while pursuing other research, maintains measured optimism about their progress.
“In science, you have these hiccups, these things that come up where it doesn’t work, and so you can be disappointed,” he said. “No different than when we originally found this compound. It was through disappointment that we realized, oh wait -- this is something good.”
The compound shows promise in targeting several types of cancer, including breast, colon, and lung cancer. The researchers note that it could potentially extend beyond cancer treatment, showing promise for conditions such as dementia.
Watch the latest “Discover the Joy” podcast conversation with the UNF researchers below.