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PNC 27

An experimental p53-derived peptide meant to selectively destroy cancer cells in cell models, purely preclinical.

2 min read 11 sources

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PNC 27 vial with white powder and the black TPD label on a white podium with a glowing ring, next to a large molecule model of blue and white spheres
No registered trial · not approved

Summary

At a glance

Sources checked on 26 Oct 2026

Length
32 amino acids

HDM-2 binding site from p53 plus a cell-penetrating leader sequence7

Binding piece
15 amino acids from p53

Residues 12 to 26 of the tumour suppressor p531

Survival in a mouse model
+25.5 days

Median 136.5 versus 111 days, human leukaemia cells in mice4

Human trials in the registry
0 trials

no trial with PNC-27 on ClinicalTrials.gov, as of 26 Oct 202610

  • PNC 27 is a peptide of 32 amino acids: the piece of the tumour suppressor p53 that binds HDM-2, plus a cell-penetrating leader sequence.71
  • In cell studies it binds HDM-2 in the membrane of cancer cells and forms pores there. The cell breaks down (necrosis), normal cells without membrane HDM-2 were spared.13
  • In mouse models of acute myeloid leukaemia the animals on PNC-27 lived longer in the median, with human leukaemia cells 136.5 versus 111 days.4
  • There are no human data: no registered trial, no information on tolerability. The papers come mostly from one research group.109
  • PNC 27 is not a cancer drug and not approved. Everything here is preclinical research, not a recommendation.10
Profile

Updated May 2026

Class
p53-derived peptide

HDM-2 binding

Use
Subcutaneous

in mg

Half-life
short
Status
Purely preclinical

cell models

Sizes
5 to 10 mg

2 sizes in the shop

Contents 15 sections
  1. At a glance
  2. What is PNC 27?
  3. How it works
  4. What you need
  5. Reconstitution
  6. Dosing
  7. Injection
  8. What the research shows
  9. Research status
  10. Side effects
  11. Storage
  12. Related compounds
  13. FAQ
  14. Glossary
  15. Sources

What is PNC 27?

PNC 27 is an experimental peptide that links a section of the tumor suppressor p53 with a cell-penetrating sequence. In cell models it is meant to selectively destroy cancer cells without attacking normal cells.

Honestly and importantly up front: this is pure basic research in cells and animal models. PNC 27 is not a cancer drug. There are no human studies. Anyone with a cancer diagnosis belongs in medical care, not on an experimental peptide.

Comparison

Peptides related to p53 and the cell membrane

PNC 27 next to other peptides in the TPD lexicon that act on the p53 pathway or on membranes. Tap a card to open its entry.

p53 piece with leader sequence PNC 27 HDM-2
Peptide at the FOXO4-p53 complex FOXO4-DRI p53 Membrane-active defence peptide LL-37

1

How it works

PNC 27 binds HDM-2, a protein unusually abundant in the membranes of many cancer cells but scarce in normal cells. Through this binding it forms pores in the cancer cell's membrane and triggers its breakdown (necrosis). The selectivity rests on normal cells barely carrying this membrane HDM-2.

Where it acts

Where PNC-27 acted in experiments

Tap a point or a card. Colour = target, grey = observed. All from cell and animal studies.

  1. Blood (leukaemia cells)

    AML cells destroyed, mice lived longer in the median4

    HDM-2
  2. Bone marrow

    Healthy blood-forming stem cells were spared in mice4

    Observed in trials
  3. Gut (colon cancer cells)

    Cancer cells destroyed in culture, tumour nodules in mice died off6

    HDM-2

Known targets1

Compound PubChem CID 16201774: one described target, Binding shown in cell studies, followed by pore formation in the membrane.

HDM-2 (human MDM2) in the cell membrane
Gene
MDM2
UniProt
Q00987
ChEMBL
CHEMBL5023
Action
Binding shown in cell studies, followed by pore formation in the membrane
Abstract illustration: a clear glass cell without molecules on the left, a cloudy grey cell on the right with small holes in its envelope where blue molecule models dock
Binding to membrane HDM-2 and pore formation, shown in cell studies. Symbolic image.

What you need

Supplies

2 things, numbered as in the picture

Tick off what you already have. Vial and BAC water are our real shop photos at the same size.

PNC-27 vial and bacteriostatic water at the same size with the black TPD label, next to two U-100 insulin syringes, two alcohol swabs and a sharps container with a blue lid

  1. PNC-27 vial

    The PNC-27 vial (lyophilized powder).

    In the shop

  2. Water and supplies

    Bacteriostatic water, U-100 insulin syringes, alcohol swabs.

    In the shop

Reconstitution

Use the peptide calculator. A 5mg vial with 2ml water gives 2.5mg per ml. Just add the water to the vial and let it dissolve.

Step by step

Dissolving the powder

Four steps, the same for every vial size.

  1. 1Wipe the cap

    Clean the rubber stopper with an alcohol swab.

  2. 2Add BAC water

    Just add it, it does not matter if it hits the powder directly.

  3. 3Swirl or shake

    Until everything has dissolved, both are fine.

  4. 4Draw up

    With the U-100 insulin syringe.

Less water higher concentration fewer units on the syringe Example: 5 mg + 2 ml = 2.5 mg/ml

Dosing

Dosing

Dosing, titration and syringe

Loading the dosing information …

  • Getting started and stepping up, drawn as a staircase
  • Units on the U-100 syringe for every step
  • How long one vial lasts

Injection

It was injected in the models. Given the missing human data, particular restraint is warranted here.

The injection is subcutaneous, into the fat layer under the skin. Common spots are the abdomen (keep about two finger-widths clear of the navel), the front and the inner side of the thigh, or the back of the upper arm.

The short version:

Injection

Where and at what angle

Pick a spot or switch the angle. Subcutaneous means: into the fat layer, not the muscle.

Rotate the spot each time, never the same one twice in a row.

90°More fat under the skin

Rule of thumb: where there is more fat under the skin, insert straight at 90 degrees. In lean people with little fat, 45 degrees, so the needle stays in the fat layer. Simplified diagram.

  1. Clean the spot with an alcohol swab and let it dry

  2. Pinch up a small fold of skin

  3. Insert the needle: at 90 degrees where there is more fat under the skin, at 45 degrees in lean people with little fat

  4. Inject slowly, wait a moment, then withdraw

  5. Put the needle straight into the sharps container

Rotate the site each time so the tissue does not get irritated. Never the same spot twice in a row.

What the research shows

A study (Sarafraz-Yazdi, PNAS 2010) showed that PNC-27 binds membrane-bound HDM-2 and destroys cancer cells via pore formation while sparing normal cells. That is an interesting mechanism in cells and animals but no evidence for safe or effective use in humans. PNC 27 is clearly experimental.

Study results

What the trials measured

Interactive: switch tabs, tap points, show or hide arms. Arms are named relative to each other, no dosing advice.

Survival in acute myeloid leukaemia4

Median survival in days per group, two mouse models

Mouse leukaemia4 Diseased donor cells transferred into healthy mice
No active substance (vehicle) 42.0%
Control peptide without HDM-2 binding 41.0%
With PNC-27 54.0%
Human leukaemia cells4 Cells from one patient in immunodeficient mice
No active substance (vehicle) 111.0%
Control peptide without HDM-2 binding 115.0%
With PNC-27 136.5%

Values from the full text of the study, 7 to 10 mice per group. Healthy blood-forming stem cells showed no measurable damage in the same paper. Animal models, no statement about humans.

Top view: glass cell model with a nucleus, small blue beads escaping from one side of its envelope, surrounded by four petri dishes and two pipettes
So far only cell cultures and mouse models. Symbolic image.

Research status

Where the research stands

From cell studies to mouse models: what has been published on PNC-27. There is no registered human trial. As of 26 Oct 2026. 10

  1. Preclinical Cell cultures, tissue samples and mouse models
  2. Phase 1 no registered trial
  3. Phase 2 no registered trial
  4. Phase 3 no registered trial
  5. Approval not yet
Not approved and no registered human trial. The papers come mostly from the circle of the research group that developed the peptide.10

So far there is no registered trial in humans. 10

Side effects

  • Solid human data are entirely missing.
  • A membrane-active, cell-destroying peptide is not harmless, maximum caution is warranted here.

Storage

Before mixing the powder is robust, normal room temperature (around 20 to 25 degrees) is fine, ideally kept in the dark. After mixing, keep in the fridge (2 to 8 degrees), do not freeze. It stays good there for at least 4 to 6 months with barely any loss of potency, in practice considerably longer. Swirl or shake to mix, both are fine.

Shelf life

How long it keeps

Undissolved (powder) Room temperature, around 20 to 25 degrees, dark

Robust, no fridge needed. Keeps for several months without trouble.

Dissolved (mixed) Fridge, 2 to 8 degrees, do not freeze

At least 4 to 6 months with barely any loss of potency. The bacteriostatic water brings a preservative.

  • Keep it dark
  • Dissolved: 2 to 8 degrees
  • Note the mixing date on the vial
Nine vials with white powder and blue caps in the door shelf of a bright fridge
Powder dark at room temperature, once dissolved into the fridge (2 to 8 degrees), stable there for at least 4 to 6 months. Symbolic image.

Related

Related compounds

A different path: all in the TPD lexicon.

PNC 27
FOXO4-DRI Also on the p53 pathway, a different approach LL-37 Different path: acts on microbial membranes

FAQ

Common questions about PNC 27

Short answers, each backed by the sources below.

Is PNC 27 approved or studied in humans?

No. There is no approval and as of 26 October 2026 no trial with PNC-27 in the registry ClinicalTrials.gov. The published papers are cell studies, tissue samples and mouse models.10

How is PNC 27 supposed to work?

The p53 piece binds HDM-2, which sits in the membrane of many cancer cells. The whole peptide then forms pores in the membrane and the cell breaks down. That is necrosis, not orderly cell death (apoptosis).1372

Why are normal cells supposed to be spared?

In the experiments normal cells carried hardly any HDM-2 in their membrane. When researchers put HDM-2 into the membrane of such cells artificially, they became vulnerable too. Selectivity therefore depends on membrane HDM-2.1

What do the animal studies show?

In two mouse models of acute myeloid leukaemia the animals on PNC-27 lived longer in the median: 54 versus 42 days with mouse leukaemia, 136.5 versus 111 days with human leukaemia cells. Healthy blood-forming stem cells showed no measurable damage. With colon cancer cells, tumour nodules in mice died off.46

Who researches PNC 27?

Almost all papers come from one group in New York and its circle, some authors hold patents on the peptide. An independent group in California produced the leukaemia data, a company supplied the peptide.74

Which side effects are known?

There are no human data. A peptide that punches holes in membranes is not harmless. Anyone with a cancer diagnosis belongs in medical care.10

Glossary

Terms explained briefly

Dotted words in the text open these explanations directly.

AML
Acute myeloid leukaemia, a fast-growing blood cancer arising from precursor cells in the bone marrow.
Cell membrane
Thin envelope of fats and proteins that surrounds every cell.
Cell-penetrating sequence
Short peptide piece (here penetratin) that lets a substance pass through cell membranes.
HDM-2
Human form of MDM2, a protein that binds and breaks down p53. It is unusually common in the membrane of many cancer cells.
Lyophilisate
Freeze-dried powder. Without water a peptide keeps much longer.
Necrosis
Disorderly cell death: the membrane bursts and the cell contents leak out. The opposite of orderly cell death (apoptosis).
p53
The body's own protein that halts damaged cells or sends them into cell death. That is why it is called a tumour suppressor.
Preclinical
Research before first use in humans, in cell cultures and animal models. Results cannot be transferred directly to humans.
Subcutaneous
Into the fat layer just under the skin.

Evidence

Sources

Show all 11 sourcesHide sources 9 Studies1 Trial registry1 Database checked 26 Oct 2026

Studies

  1. PNC-27 binds HDM-2 in the membrane of cancer cells

    Sarafraz-Yazdi et al., Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 2010

    DOI 10.1073/pnas.0909364107 PMID 20080680
    Checked 26 Oct 2026 via doi.org, Crossref, PubMed
  2. Precursor peptide destroys breast cancer cells by necrosis (cell culture)

    Do et al., Oncogene, 2003

    DOI 10.1038/sj.onc.1206258 PMID 12629507
    Checked 26 Oct 2026 via doi.org, Crossref, PubMed
  3. PNC-27 acts as the intact peptide in the membrane (cell culture)

    Sookraj et al., Cancer Chemotherapy and Pharmacology, 2010

    DOI 10.1007/s00280-009-1166-7 PMID 20182728
    Checked 26 Oct 2026 via doi.org, Crossref, PubMed
  4. Membrane HDM-2 as a target in acute myeloid leukaemia (cells and mice)

    Wang et al., Leukemia, 2020

    DOI 10.1038/s41375-019-0522-9 PMID 31337857
    Checked 26 Oct 2026 via doi.org, Crossref, PubMed, PMC (Volltext)
  5. PNC-27 and leukaemia cell lines (cell culture)

    Thadi et al., Anticancer Research, 2020

    DOI 10.21873/anticanres.14488 PMID 32878773
    Checked 26 Oct 2026 via doi.org, Crossref, PubMed
  6. PNC-27 and colon cancer cells (cell culture and mice)

    Thadi et al., Anticancer Research, 2021

    DOI 10.21873/anticanres.14749 PMID 33419797
    Checked 26 Oct 2026 via doi.org, Crossref, PubMed
  7. Structure of the pores made of PNC-27 and HDM-2 (electron microscopy)

    Sarafraz-Yazdi et al., Biomedicines, 2022

    DOI 10.3390/biomedicines10050945 PMID 35625682
    Checked 26 Oct 2026 via doi.org, Crossref, PubMed
  8. PNC-27 as a targeting ligand for liposomes (cell culture and mice)

    Darban et al., Nanomedicine, 2017

    DOI 10.2217/nnm-2017-0069 PMID 28565974
    Checked 26 Oct 2026 via doi.org, Crossref, PubMed
  9. Review by the research group on pore formation

    Pincus et al., Biomedicines, 2024

    DOI 10.3390/biomedicines12061144 PMID 38927351
    Checked 26 Oct 2026 via doi.org, Crossref, PubMed

Trial registry

  1. Search on ClinicalTrials.gov (no trial with PNC-27)

    ClinicalTrials.gov, U.S. National Library of Medicine

    Checked 26 Oct 2026 via ClinicalTrials.gov API v2

Database

  1. Structure of PNC-27 in PubChem

    PubChem, U.S. National Library of Medicine (CID 16201774)

    Checked 26 Oct 2026 via PubChem

In the shop

PNC 27 in the catalog

Sizes, prices and shipping times are on the product page.

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