HKUST Develops New Biocompatible Chemical Reaction to Advance Next-Generation Anticancer Prodrugs

A research team at The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology has developed a new biocompatible chemical reaction that could advance next-generation anticancer prodrugs. The work, originally reported on EurekAlert!, addresses a long-standing challenge in how potent cancer therapies are activated inside the body.

Anticancer prodrugs have attracted significant attention because they can remain inactive until they reach the tumor microenvironment, reducing damage to healthy tissue. The HKUST reaction proceeds under mild, physiologically relevant conditions and opens a more efficient path to constructing these molecules.

The School of Science continues to invest in chemical biology and drug synthesis — two of the Department of Chemistry’s core research strengths — to translate fundamental discoveries into therapies with societal impact.