Scientists made a tiny molecule that joins a cancer‑drug‑like ring with a short peptide (GHK) that can grab copper. When copper is attached, the molecule creates free radicals that cut DNA strands, which could kill cancer cells but also damage normal cells. The study is mostly about lab chemistry and does not give a safe way for people to use it.

Pseudopeptides incorporating a polyhydroxyanthraquinone ring related to the nuclei of the antitumor drug Mitoxantrone and a peptidic metal-chelating moiety Gly-His-Lys (GHK), have been synthesized. The goal was to conjugate the redox effects of a quinone ring with the iron chelating properties of the peptide in order to generate free radical species capable of damaging DNA. DHQ-GHK has a moderate affinity for DNA but causes precipitation of filaments. Electron microscopy shows a loop-making organization, DNA molecules having a lengthening superior to 50% as compared to control supercoiled DNA, the inside of these loops looks free of granular deposit. The peptidic moiety forms a complex with copper when the ratio Cu/P is lower than 0.2. This cupric complex catalyses the formation of free radicals and the cleavage of the DNA double strand. A new synthesis is described involving the addition of a space arm between the anthraquinonic nucleus and copper chelating compounds to obtain derivates disubstituted by different chelators.