Azurin, a copper-containing protein from Pseudomonas aeruginosa, shows anticancer activity through multiple mechanisms including p53 stabilization, preferential tumor cell entry, and angiogenesis inhibition.
Bacteria fight cancerA protein from P. aeruginosa bacteria naturally enters cancer cells preferentially and kills them through p53 stabilization — with p28 peptide now in clinical trials
What the researchers found
Azurin from P. aeruginosa: anticancer via p53 stabilization, preferential tumor cell entry, angiogenesis inhibition. Peptide derivative p28 in clinical trials.
Why it matters
A bacterial protein that naturally targets cancer cells represents an entirely different approach to cancer therapy from conventional drugs.
How the study worked
Review of azurin anticancer mechanisms, p28 peptide derivative clinical development, and therapeutic applications.
What this study cannot tell us
Review. p28 clinical trials are early-stage. Bacterial protein production poses manufacturing challenges.
How to read the evidence
Review of preclinical mechanisms and early clinical development.
When this study was published
Published in 2025.
The bigger picture
Bacterial proteins evolved to interact with host cells offer unexpected therapeutic opportunities, with azurin/p28 leading the way in cancer.
Questions still open
- Will p28 peptide achieve clinical approval for cancer?
- How does azurin preferentially enter cancer cells?
- Could azurin be combined with immune checkpoint therapy?
Common questions
Can bacterial proteins fight cancer?
How does a bacterial protein target cancer?
Read the original research
Possible Applications of Azurin, a Copper-Containing Protein, in Cancer Treatment: Prospects and Challenges.
Current drug targets
Citation
Karmanova, Ekaterina E; Goncharov, Ruslan G; Burmistrov, Dmitriy E; Chernikov, Anatoly V; Novoselov, Vladimir I; Sharapov, Mars G. (2026). Possible Applications of Azurin, a Copper-Containing Protein, in Cancer Treatment: Prospects and Challenges.. Current drug targets. https://doi.org/10.2174/0113894501415032251108152158