When the re-cyclization occurs, the conformational changes and chemical reactions taking place result in an irreversible double stranded cleavage of the DNA, leading to cell death.

During in vitro studies, the molecule showed an increased affinity for the specific 10 base pair sequence CTACTACTTG.

Professor Martin Semmelhack of Princeton University was the first person to propose the NADPH reduction pathway.

The broad spectrum of the drug prevents current use because it creates unwanted damage in normal healthy tissues.

In vivo studies in mice and rats suggest that the treatment is most effective in leukemia, breast, and lung cancers.

Synthetic alternatives which are more specific to cancer cells and leave healthy tissues unharmed are being researched.