Anti-cancer drug development is a major priority for global healthcare industries, aiming to improve both survival rates and quality of life for cancer patients. AOH1996, a novel anticancer agent, has drawn considerable interest due to its unique chemical structure and promising anticancer activity. This article reviews the progress of AOH1996 from basic research to clinical studies and explores its potential application in the integrative treatment of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and Western medicine. Based on a narrative review and analysis of existing literature, this paper first summarizes the basic research and mechanisms of AOH1996, then discusses its efficacy in animal and human trials. AOH1996 has demonstrated significant inhibitory effects across various cancer cell lines, as well as favorable safety and efficacy in animal models. Furthermore, this review discusses the theoretical rationale for combining AOH1996 with curcumin, highlighting mechanistic complementarity while acknowledging that experimental validation remains lacking. Based on current findings, we propose that AOH1996 may serve as an effective monotherapy, and its combination with curcumin—supported by complementary mechanisms—warrants further experimental investigation. Finally, this paper outlines future research directions, including expanding clinical trial scales and optimizing drug administration strategies, so as to provide a scientific basis for the application and development of AOH1996.

Fangmei Yan. Research and development of the anticancer agent AOH1996 and the theoretical rationale for its combination with curcumin. Frontiers in Medical Science Research (2026), Vol. 8, Issue 5: 34-40. https://doi.org/10.25236/FMSR.2026.080504.

[1] Huang Yajun, Peng Xueli, Guo Xiaomeng. Combination of traditional Chinese and Western medicine in treatment of middle and advanced gastric cancer: 42 cases [J]. Chinese Modern Distance Education of Traditional Chinese Medicine,2017,15(04):101-102.

[2] Wang Yuxia, Zhang Xiaofeng, Liu Yingli. Clinical observation of integrated Chinese and Western medicine in the treatment of cancer pain [J]. Clinical MedicinePractice,2009,18(21):538-539. 

[3] Gu Long, Li Min, Li Caroline M., et al. Small molecule targeting of transcription-replication conflict for selective chemotherapy [J]. Cell Chemical Biology, 2023, 30(10): 1235-1247.

[4] Vuong, Zen. 2023. "City of Hope Scientists Develop Targeted Chemotherapy Able to Kill All Solid Tumors in Preclinical Research." [EB/OL] City of Hope. August 1. https://www.cityofhope.org/city-hope-scientists-develop-targeted-chemotherapy-able-kill-all-solid-tumors-preclinical-research.

[5] Bennett, Dorothy. 2023. "Expert Reaction to Study on Use of Small Molecule Ligand AOH1996 for Inhibiting Tumour Growth in Animals." [EB/OL] Science Media Centre, August 2. https://www.sciencemediacentre.org/expert-reaction-to-study-on-use-of-small-molecule-ligand-AOH1996-for-inhibiting-tumour-growth-in-animals.

[6] Kang H J, Valerio M, Feng J, et al. AOH1996 targets mitochondrial dynamics and metabolism in leukemic stem cells via mitochondrial PCNA inhibition [J]. Experimental Hematology & Oncology, 2024, 13(1): 123.

[7] Shankar S, Srivastava R K. Involvement of Bcl-2 family proteins, phosphatidylinositol 3'-kinase/AKT and mitochondrial p53 in curcumin (diferuloylmethane)-induced apoptosis in prostate cancer [J]. International Journal of Oncology, 2007, 30(4): 905-918.

[8] Su C C, Lin J G, Li T M, et al. Curcumin-induced apoptosis of human colon cancer colo 205 cells through the production of ROS, Ca²⁺ and the activation of caspase-3 [J]. Anticancer Research, 2006, 26(6B): 4379-4389.

[9] Anuchapreeda S, Leechanachai P, Smith M M, et al. Modulation of P-glycoprotein expression and function by curcumin in multidrug-resistant human KB cells [J]. Biochemical Pharmacology, 2002, 64(4): 573-582.

[10] Aggarwal B B, Gupta S C, Sung B. Curcumin: an orally bioavailable blocker of TNF and other pro-inflammatory biomarkers[J]. British Journal of Pharmacology, 2013, 169(8): 1672-1692.

[11] Anand P, Kunnumakkara A B, Newman R A, et al. Bioavailability of curcumin: problems and promises[J]. Molecular Pharmaceutics, 2007, 4(6): 807-818.

[12] Xu Shihong, Zhao Jun, Wang Xingsheng, et al. A Preliminary Study on the Correlation between the TCM Theory of "Healthy Qi Stored Inside, Evil Cannot Harm" and the Endogenous Anti-Injury Response of the Body [J]. Clinical Journal of Chinese Medicine, 2024, 16(27): 144-148.

[13] Xia Yezhou, Tan Xiaowu, Zeng Saili. Influence of curcumin in combination with cisplatin on the invasion and metastasis of lung cancer A549 cells and its possible mechanisms [J]. Chinese Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, 2017, 16(6): 581-585.

[14] Li Liling. Study on the effect of combined Chinese and Western medicine antidepressant treatment on the quality of life of cancer patients [D]. Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, 2013.

[15] Takimoto Rishu, et al. Safety evaluation of immune-cell therapy for malignant tumor in the Cancer Immune-cell Therapy Evaluation Group (CITEG) [J]. Cytotherapy, 2023, 25(11): 1229-1235. DOI: 10.1016/j.jcyt.2023.06.007.