Invention:
This invention describes an inhibitor of eIF4A, which is a validated cancer drug target. The inventors describe a novel mechanism by which this inhibitor works.
Background:
Oncogenic, or cancer-causing pathways have long been challenging drug targets, especially for complex cancers. One protein complex called eIF4F is key to select oncogenic pathways and drives the progression of some cancers. The eIF4F complex contributes to many of the hallmarks of cancer, such as sustained proliferative signaling, evasion of growth suppression, resistance to programmed cell death, replicative immortality, angiogenesis, invasion, and metastasis.
The inventors have shown that by inhibiting the only enzyme in the eIF4F complex (eIF4A) with a novel mechanism of action, they have a validated drug target and have shown toxicities against Burkitt lymphoma cells. This inhibitor could be a potent anti-cancer drug for patients suffering from cancers driven from these oncogenic pathways.
Applications:
Advantages:
- Novel mechanisms of action
- Demonstrated toxicity against Burkitt lymphoma cells
