This technology is a small molecule that selectively targets the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) core pathways, regulated by Germinal Center Kinase (GCK), and inhibits cell growth for treatment of cancers, notably multiple myeloma.
Hematologic malignancies, such as multiple myeloma (MM), are often treated with therapeutic antibody treatments. However, even with recent advancements in antibody therapies, patients suffering from MM continue to show a median survival rate of 5 to 6 years. It is therefore critical to find a therapeutic alternative that can target pathways to induce myeloma cell death.
This technology presents a small molecule inhibitor targeting the mitogen-activated protein kinase 2 (MAP4K2) pathway—a key pathway involved in B cell to plasmid cell differentiation. Inhibition of MAP4K2, in vivo, has shown a decrease in cell proliferation across several multiple myeloma (MM) cell lines, including cell lines resistant to immunomodulatory drugs. This technology has been validated on human tissue samples.