New Hungarian-developed cancer drug delivers exceptional preclinical results

Preclinical testing by Hungarian researchers has shown that a newly developed compound can eliminate aggressive tumours in animal models, including forms of cancer that are resistant to existing treatments.

The joint project of the HUN-REN Research Centre for Natural Sciences and Eötvös Loránd University could mark a significant step forward in the field of antitumor therapies, as previously reported by Index.hu.

The research findings were published last autumn in the international scientific journal Molecular Cancer. In the study, Hungarian scientists describe how they managed to make a highly toxic yet extremely potent anticancer compound safer to use.

An exceptionally powerful compound as a starting point

The research builds on a well-known class of chemotherapy drugs. Anthracyclines have been a cornerstone of cancer treatment for decades, but they are also associated with serious side effects, and many tumours eventually develop resistance to them.

András Füredi and his colleagues developed a modified compound that destroys tumour cells far more effectively than existing treatments. However, on its own, the substance proved too toxic to be safely administered to living organisms.

“It is about a thousand times more toxic to cancer cells than conventional chemotherapy drugs, which means it could not be used safely without modification,” Füredi told Index.hu.

Why it works differently from conventional chemotherapy

The breakthrough came with the use of liposomal technology. The active compound was enclosed in a microscopic, fat-based обол shell that protects healthy tissues while allowing the drug to accumulate primarily in tumour sites.

“Liposomal particles can only leave the bloodstream where the blood vessel walls are damaged by the tumor. That’s where they open and release the active substance,” Füredi explained to Index.hu.

According to the researchers, this delivery method allows the drug to remain in the body much longer than traditional chemotherapy agents, and in some cases, a single treatment may be sufficient.

The resulting compound was tested in several mouse models. It successfully inhibited tumour growth in breast, skin, and lung cancer models, and in one aggressive breast cancer model, complete remission was achieved with no tumour recurrence.

Notably, the drug also proved effective against multidrug-resistant tumors — cancers that have become resistant to existing treatments.

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Effective even against the most resistant tumours

The compound, named LiPyDau, was tested across multiple animal models, including aggressive forms of breast, skin, and lung cancer. In one particularly resistant breast cancer model, tumours were completely eliminated and did not return.

“I have been working on cancer therapies for fifteen years, but I have never seen such a strong effect before. In some models, a single dose was enough to eliminate the tumor,” Füredi said.

LiPyDau is currently considered one of the most promising Hungarian-developed drug candidates. However, further progress depends on upcoming funding decisions. Researchers are now awaiting confirmation on whether they will be able to continue testing the compound in larger animal models.

If the next phase is approved and the results remain favourable, clinical trials could follow — potentially paving the way for the first Hungarian-developed cancer drug to reach patients within the next few years.