PNC-27

Also known as: MDM-2 inhibitor peptide

PNC-27 is a synthetic peptide consisting of an HDM-2 (human double minute-2) binding domain from the p53 tumor suppressor protein fused to a cell-penetrating membrane residency peptide (MRR). It was designed to selectively kill cancer cells by targeting the HDM-2 protein — which is overexpressed on cancer cell membranes but absent from normal cell surfaces. PNC-27 binds to surface-expressed HDM-2, forming pores in cancer cell membranes and inducing cell death through necrosis rather than apoptosis. Preclinical studies show selective cytotoxicity against pancreatic, breast, and leukemia cancer cells while sparing normal cells.