Korean researcher develops treatment targeting cancer cells using nitric oxide

Kim Ji-hoon, professor at Yonsei University’s Division of Biological Science and Technology [Photo by Ko Jae-won]

A South Korean researcher has developed a technology that uses nitric oxide, an air pollutant that causes acid rain, as an anticancer agent.

The state government of Georgia in the United States allocated a significant budget to support the mass production of this technology, which was found to effectively eliminate cancer cells when combined with immune checkpoint inhibitors.

Kim Ji-hoon, a professor at Yonsei University’s Division of Biological Science and Technology presented his research at an academic presentation forum hosted by The Korean Society for Biotechnology and Bioengineering in Busan, Korea, on Thursday.

“We have revealed for the first time in the world the mechanism by which cancer cells die when immune checkpoint inhibitors and nitric oxide are injected into cancer cells,” Kim said. “It could be a game-changer for anticancer drugs.”

According to Kim, a specialist in nitric oxide research, nitric oxide is a highly useful gas for humans. It expands blood vessels, inhibits the proliferation of endothelial cells in blood vessels, and prevents blood clotting by inhibiting platelet function.

“Substances like Viagra or nutritional supplements containing arginine are related to nitric oxide,” Kim said. “A research is being conducted to develop anticancer drugs using nitric oxide.”

The professor noted that he has confirmed that using nitric oxide and immune checkpoint inhibitors together can eliminate cancer cells and that the combination also inhibits their growth.

Having worked as a postdoctoral researcher at Georgia Institute of Technology before joining Yonsei University last year, Kim’s expertise attracted interest from the state government of Georgia.

“I am continuing to collaborate with Georgia Institute of Technology to develop nitric oxide drug delivery systems,” Kim said.

Meanwhile, the forum, which is the largest international academic conference in the biotechnology field, is taking place at BEXCO until Friday.