Guava Molecule Shows Potential Against Liver Cancer
A newly synthesized molecule derived from guava plants has shown significant promise in fighting liver cancer, offering hope for more affordable and effective treatments, according to research published September 15, 2025.
A team of chemists at the University of Delaware has successfully recreated a potent molecule found in guava plants that demonstrates strong potential in combating liver cancer, one of the world’s deadliest malignancies. The breakthrough, announced on September 15, 2025, and published in the journal Angewandte Chemie, could pave the way for more accessible and cost-effective therapies for liver cancer patients worldwide.
The research, led by Associate Professor William Chain, focused on a process called natural product total synthesis, which enables scientists to construct complex molecules from simple, widely available chemicals. By replicating the guava-derived molecule in the laboratory, the team has provided a scalable method for producing this promising compound, which has previously been limited by the scarcity of natural sources.
Liver and bile duct cancers have seen a dramatic rise globally, with hepatocellular carcinoma now affecting one in 125 people over their lifetimes. In the United States alone, more than 42,000 new cases are expected in 2025, with over 30,000 deaths projected. Current treatments are expensive and often ineffective in late-stage disease, with five-year survival rates below 15%. The new synthesis method could help address these challenges by making the guava molecule widely available for further research and drug development.
Chain emphasized the importance of natural products in medicine, noting that most clinically approved drugs are derived from or inspired by compounds found in nature. However, the limited supply of these natural resources has historically constrained their use. "Now chemists will be able to take our manuscripts and basically follow our 'recipe' and they can make it themselves," Chain explained, highlighting the collaborative potential of the discovery.
The research team is now working with the U.S. National Cancer Institute to explore the molecule’s effectiveness against other cancer types and to advance it toward clinical testing. Doctoral student Liam O'Grady, the study’s first author, described the work as "paving the road" for future innovations, inviting other scientists to build upon their findings and potentially discover even more efficient synthesis pathways.
The discovery has been widely reported in both local and international media, with experts noting its potential to transform liver cancer treatment. While further studies and clinical trials are needed to confirm the molecule’s efficacy and safety in humans, the breakthrough represents a significant step forward in the ongoing search for better cancer therapies.