Description
Cutting edge anti-cancer approach targets CDK9
University of Nebraska Medical Center researchers created an inhibitor that targets cyclin-dependent kinase 9 (CDK9), a protein that regulates several oncogenes, which are often responsible for tumor growth.
This new CDK9 inhibitor is a PROTAC, or Proteolysis targeting chimera, which is a class of inhibitors that harness the body’s own protein degradation machinery to eliminate cancer-related proteins.
This new CDK9 PROTAC degrades CDK9 at nanomolar concentrations without degrading other CDKs or CDK9-binding partners in pancreatic cancer cells.
The CDK9 PROTAC can also sensitize pancreatic cancer cells to an FDA approved Bcl2 inhibitor Venetoclax, a cancer treatment patients commonly develop resistance to.
To discuss licensing opportunities contact Lisa Carlson, PhD, at lisa.jorgenson@unmc.edu or 402-315-0543.
