FOXO4-DRI
A designed peptide that selectively kills senescent cells in mice, producing striking results in a widely cited 2017 paper. No human data exists.
Longevity
PNC-27
A p53-derived peptide reported to selectively rupture cancer cell membranes in vitro. All work is preclinical and from a small number of groups.
Overview
PNC-27 combines a fragment of p53 — the tumour-suppressor protein — with a short sequence that helps it cross into cells. The reported effect is unusual: rather than triggering the normal cell-death programme, it appears to physically punch holes in the membranes of cancer cells while leaving healthy cells intact. The selectivity is attributed to HDM-2 protein appearing on the surface of cancer cells but not normal ones. This is cell-culture and mouse xenograft work, from a limited number of laboratories.
A 32-amino-acid peptide combining the p53 residues 12-26 HDM-2 binding domain with a penetratin-derived membrane-residency sequence. Proposed to bind HDM-2 expressed at the plasma membrane of transformed cells, forming transmembrane pores and causing necrosis rather than apoptosis — reportedly caspase-independent and p53-status-independent. Selectivity is attributed to the absence of membrane-localised HDM-2 on untransformed cells. Evidence comprises in-vitro cytotoxicity across cancer lines and mouse xenograft studies. No clinical trial has been registered and the findings have limited independent replication.
Research areas
Oncology researchp53 biologyMembrane-active peptides
Dosing reported in the literature
Every protocol below is reproduced from a published study or approved labelling, with its source named. These are records of what was studied — not recommendations, and not a suggestion that any of them is appropriate for any person.
| Protocol as reported | Source |
|---|---|
| Intraperitoneal PNC-27 in mouse xenograft models with tumour volume endpoints | Sarafraz-Yazdi et al., Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences 2010 |
Trial status
Preclinical only. No human trials of any phase.
Reported safety signals
- No human safety data of any kind.
- A membranolytic mechanism has an inherently narrow margin between selective and non-selective cell lysis.
- It is not a cancer treatment and should not be represented as one; it has never been tested in a person.
- Sold through unregulated channels, in a context where desperate use is a real risk.
Common questions
Is PNC-27 a cancer treatment?
No. It has never been given to a person in a registered trial. The published work is cell culture and mice, from a small number of groups, without broad independent replication. Nothing about it is established in humans.
Primary sources
Medical disclaimer
This page is for informational and research purposes only. Nothing here constitutes medical advice. The compounds discussed are research chemicals. Consult a qualified clinician before starting any protocol.
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