by In a recent study conducted at Peter Mac, researchers have successfully controlled tumor growth and overcome drug resistance in various types of cancer using a pioneering drug. The enzyme cyclin-dependent kinase 2 (CDK2), which plays a critical role in tumor growth, has been a long-standing target for researchers, but developing a therapeutic drug to effectively inhibit it has proven to be challenging.
The study, published in Cancer Discovery, highlights the efficacy of a potent and selective CDK2 inhibitor known as INX-315, developed by Incyclix Bio, a US-based company. Senior author of the study, Associate Professor Shom Goel from Peter Mac, explains that the drug has demonstrated the ability to control tumor growth in preclinical models representing two groups of cancer.
“This study shows, for the first time, that inhibiting CDK2 pharmacologically is a highly promising strategy for addressing high-risk cancers,” says Professor Goel.
INX-315 targets a specific group of cancers that exhibit amplification of the CCNE1 gene, including ovarian, gastro-esophageal, and uterine cancers. The amplification of this gene leads to increased CDK2 activity, which promotes tumor growth. By inhibiting CDK2, INX-315 effectively blocks aberrant cell proliferation and halts the growth of these tumors.
Moreover, INX-315 also exhibits effectiveness in breast cancers that have developed resistance to CDK4/6 inhibitors, commonly used in the treatment of metastatic breast cancer. INX-315 is capable of overcoming this resistance by effectively stopping cancer cell division.
“We are excited by this research because cancers with amplification of the CCNE1 gene generally have a poor prognosis and are unresponsive to current therapies,” adds Professor Goel.
He further explains that while breast cancers often develop resistance to CDK4/6 inhibitors over time, the study demonstrates that this resistance can be driven by CDK2. INX-315, however, proves to be an effective combatant against this resistance.
Apart from its implications in cancer treatment, this research also sheds light on important questions regarding cell cycle biology and drug resistance in cancer. It is the first published paper describing the effects of a CDK2 inhibitor in cancer.
In an exciting development, INX-315 has entered clinical development and is currently undergoing a first-in-human trial (NCT05735080) led by Dr. George Au-Yeung, a clinician researcher at Peter Mac.
The collaboration between Peter Mac and Incyclix Bio is vital in bringing innovative treatments to a larger number of cancer patients. Incyclix Bio CEO and co-senior author of the study, Patrick Roberts, expresses his enthusiasm about the results of the study and the potential it holds for cancer treatment.
“CDK2 is a critical target in oncology with broad clinical potential across multiple cancer types, including treatment-resistant cancers. We’re excited to advance INX-315 to provide new therapeutic options for patients with difficult-to-treat cancer,” says Roberts.
This groundbreaking research not only offers hope for patients with high-risk cancers and those who have developed resistance to conventional treatments but also advances our understanding of c and opens avenues for the development of targeted therapies.
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1. Source: Coherent Market Insights, Public sources, Desk research
2. We have leveraged AI tools to mine information and compile it
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