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Updated: Jun 16, 2026

NMR-Based Activity Assays for Determining Compound Inhibition, IC50 Values, Artifactual Activity, and Whole-Cell Activity of Nucleoside Ribohydrolases
10:24

NMR-Based Activity Assays for Determining Compound Inhibition, IC50 Values, Artifactual Activity, and Whole-Cell Activity of Nucleoside Ribohydrolases

Published on: June 30, 2019

[Onconase: a ribonuclease with antitumor activity]

Małgorzata Zwolińska1, Piotr Smolewski

  • 1Klinika Hematologii Uniwersytetu Medycznego w Łodzi, Łódź.

Postepy Higieny I Medycyny Doswiadczalnej (Online)
|February 23, 2010
PubMed

Insights

Onconase, a ribonuclease (RN-ase) from frog eggs, shows potent antitumor effects by inducing cancer cell death and apoptosis. It demonstrates efficacy against resistant tumors and synergistic activity with other cancer drugs.

Area of Science:

  • Biochemistry
  • Oncology
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • Onconase (ranpirnase) is a ribonuclease (RN-ase) enzyme derived from Rana pipiens frog eggs.
  • Its antitumor activity is intrinsically linked to its RN-ase function, targeting intracellular RNA.
  • Onconase exhibits cytotoxic effects via RNA decomposition, protein synthesis inhibition, and apoptosis induction in tumor cells.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the antitumor potential of Onconase.
  • To investigate its mechanisms of action, including cytotoxicity and antioxidant properties.
  • To assess its efficacy in preclinical models and clinical trials for various cancers.

Main Methods:

  • Preclinical studies involving tumor cell lines, including those resistant to conventional chemotherapy.
  • In vitro assays to determine Onconase's ribonuclease activity, cytotoxicity, and antioxidant effects.
  • Clinical trials in patients with kidney, breast, pancreatic, mesothelioma, and non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

Main Results:

  • Onconase demonstrated significant antitumor activity in preclinical trials, effective against cytostatic-resistant cancer cells.
  • The enzyme possesses notable antioxidant properties contributing to its cytotoxicity.
  • Clinical trials indicated Onconase's potential in treating various cancers, with a completed Phase III study in mesothelioma and ongoing trials for NSCLC.

Conclusions:

  • Onconase is a promising anticancer agent with a unique mechanism of action involving RNA degradation and apoptosis induction.
  • Its efficacy against resistant tumors and synergistic potential with other drugs warrant further clinical investigation.
  • Ongoing and completed clinical trials support the therapeutic potential of Onconase in diverse oncological indications.

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