A New Frontier in Skin Cancer: A Therapy That Kills Cancer, Spares Skin

SAN ANTONIO, TX – June 22, 2026 – In the persistent battle against cancer, precision is the holy grail. A breakthrough announced by bioAffinity Technologies suggests a significant step toward that goal, with preclinical findings for a novel therapy that selectively kills common skin cancer cells while leaving healthy tissue unharmed. The research, centered on a sophisticated gene-silencing technology, offers a glimmer of hope for the millions diagnosed each year with basal cell and cutaneous squamous cell carcinomas.

These skin cancers are among the most prevalent malignancies, and while often treatable with surgery, the process can be fraught with complications. “Unfortunately, surgical removal is not always the end of the story,” said surgical oncologist Rosa Cuenca, MD, who is not affiliated with the company. “A topical therapeutic that selectively targets malignant cells while preserving healthy skin could potentially expand our treatment options, particularly for patients with recurrent lesions or cosmetically sensitive tumors.”

The Science of Selective Destruction

At the heart of this potential new treatment is a technology known as small interfering RNA, or siRNA. This approach works by effectively “silencing” specific genes inside a cell. bioAffinity’s research targets two cell surface receptors, CD320 and LRP2, which their work suggests are fundamental to cancer cell survival.

In a series of in vitro studies, researchers synthesized siRNAs to block the function of these two receptors. When introduced to cultures containing both squamous and basal skin cancer cells alongside non-cancerous skin cells, the results were striking. The proliferation of cancer cells was significantly impaired, and microscopic analysis confirmed their death. Crucially, the healthy skin cells in the same environment were left completely unaffected.

“Our in vitro findings indicate that silencing specific cell surface receptors was selectively cytotoxic to or impaired the proliferation of squamous skin cancer cells while leaving normal skin cells unaffected,” said David J. Elzi, PhD, bioAffinity Technologies Vice President of Product Development. The company’s research revealed that targeting both receptors simultaneously was key; attempting to silence only one resulted in the other compensating, nullifying the therapeutic effect. This dual-knockdown strategy appears to be a unique vulnerability in cancer cells that is not present in their healthy counterparts.

Dr. Elzi is scheduled to present these findings in detail at the 2026 RNA Therapeutics (RNATx) Symposium, a prestigious gathering of experts focused on the cutting edge of genetic medicine. The presentation, titled “siRNAs targeting CD320 and LRP2 are selectively cytotoxic to squamous skin cancer cells while leaving normal skin cells unharmed,” is expected to draw significant interest from the scientific community.

Addressing a Widespread and Costly Need

The potential impact of such a therapy is immense. According to the American Cancer Society, an estimated 5.4 million cases of basal and squamous cell carcinomas are diagnosed in the U.S. annually. Surgery remains the standard of care, but it is an imperfect solution. Incomplete resections, where microscopic bits of cancer are left behind, can lead to recurrence. For tumors on the face, hands, or other sensitive areas, surgery can also result in significant scarring and cosmetic challenges.

This is the gap a targeted, non-invasive topical treatment could fill. The ability to apply a cream or gel that seeks out and destroys only the malignant cells would represent a paradigm shift in dermatological oncology. It could serve as a primary treatment for certain tumors, an adjunct to surgery to clear margins, or a way to manage recurrent lesions without repeated invasive procedures. To date, there is no commercially available topical siRNA therapy specifically approved for these common skin cancers, leaving a wide-open field for a successful candidate.

From Diagnostics to Therapeutics: A Strategic Expansion

For bioAffinity Technologies, this venture into therapeutics is a calculated expansion built upon years of foundational research in cancer diagnostics. The company is already known for its CyPath® Lung test, a noninvasive sputum-based assay that uses artificial intelligence and a proprietary fluorescent porphyrin to detect early-stage lung cancer with high accuracy.

It was the investigation into why this porphyrin preferentially binds to cancer cells that led to the discovery of the CD320 and LRP2 targets. This synergy between the company’s diagnostic and therapeutic arms demonstrates a cohesive strategy to not only find cancer but also to treat it with precision. The underlying discovery is protected by U.S. Patent No. 12,305,171, “Compositions and Methods for Treating Cancer,” issued in 2025, which covers the treatment of not just skin cancer but also lung, breast, prostate, and brain cancers, suggesting a broad future for the platform.

The company is actively funding this strategic pivot, having recently closed a $3.2 million offering to support its research and development programs. This move signals a firm commitment to translating its foundational science into a new class of cancer treatments.

The Long Road from Lab to Clinic

While the preclinical data is compelling, company officials and outside experts alike are quick to temper excitement with a dose of scientific realism. “Our preclinical results represent an encouraging step toward developing less-invasive treatments for some of the most common cancers affecting patients today,” said Gordon Downie, MD, PhD, bioAffinity’s Chief Medical Officer.

The journey from a laboratory dish to a patient’s medicine cabinet is long, expensive, and fraught with uncertainty. These findings, obtained in highly controlled conditions, must first be replicated in animal models to test for safety and efficacy in a living system. Only after clearing that significant hurdle can the company file an Investigational New Drug (IND) application with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to begin human clinical trials.

Experts in the field caution that a central challenge in topical RNA therapeutics is ensuring the stability of the molecule and its effective delivery through the skin to the target cells. The path forward will involve navigating the multi-stage clinical trial process—Phase 1 for safety, Phase 2 for efficacy, and Phase 3 for large-scale validation—each step a major scientific and financial undertaking. However, the profound unmet need and the elegance of the selective mechanism provide a powerful incentive to push forward.