Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 2, 2026

Cell Population Analyses During Skin Carcinogenesis
06:53

Cell Population Analyses During Skin Carcinogenesis

Published on: August 21, 2013

Targeting superficial or nodular Basal cell carcinoma with topically formulated small molecule inhibitor of

Tracy Tang1, Jean Y Tang, Dongwei Li

  • 1Genentech, South San Francisco, California 94080, USA.

Clinical Cancer Research : an Official Journal of the American Association for Cancer Research
|May 12, 2011
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Topical CUR61414 showed preclinical efficacy against basal cell carcinoma (BCC) by inhibiting Hedgehog (Hh) signaling in mice. However, a Phase I clinical study found no significant anti-BCC activity in human subjects.

Area of Science:

  • Dermatology
  • Oncology
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) development is linked to aberrant Hedgehog (Hh) signaling.
  • CUR61414 is an inhibitor of Smoothened, a key molecule in Hh signal transduction.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the topical anti-BCC efficacy of CUR61414.
  • To evaluate the safety, tolerability, and efficacy of CUR61414 in preclinical models and human BCCs.

Main Methods:

  • Preclinical studies involved a depilatory model and murine BCCs (Ptch1 (+/-) K14-CreER2 p53 fl/fl mice).
  • A Phase I clinical study assessed multidose topical CUR61414 (0.09%-3.1%) on human BCCs for up to 28 days.

Main Results:

  • Topical CUR61414 inhibited Hh signaling and hair follicle anagen in mice.
  • CUR61414 treatment led to shrinkage of existing murine BCCs.
  • No clinical activity was observed in human superficial or nodular BCCs during the Phase I study.

Conclusions:

  • Translating preclinical findings of topical anticancer agents to human efficacy presents challenges.
  • Further research is needed to understand the discrepancies between mouse and human responses to topical CUR61414.

More Related Videos

Through the Looking Glass: Time-lapse Microscopy and Longitudinal Tracking of Single Cells to Study Anti-cancer Therapeutics06:00

Through the Looking Glass: Time-lapse Microscopy and Longitudinal Tracking of Single Cells to Study Anti-cancer Therapeutics

Published on: May 14, 2016

Intramucosal Inoculation of Squamous Cell Carcinoma Cells in Mice for Tumor Immune Profiling and Treatment Response Assessment07:29

Intramucosal Inoculation of Squamous Cell Carcinoma Cells in Mice for Tumor Immune Profiling and Treatment Response Assessment

Published on: April 22, 2019

Related Concept Videos

Targeted Cancer Therapies02:57

Targeted Cancer Therapies

The targeted cancer therapies, also known as “molecular targeted therapies,” take advantage of the molecular and genetic differences between the cancer cells and the normal cells. It needs a thorough understanding of the cancer cells to develop drugs that can target specific molecular aspects that drive the growth, progression, and spread of cancer cells without affecting the growth and survival of other normal cells in the body.
There are several types of targeted therapies against specific...
Targeted Cancer Therapies02:57

Targeted Cancer Therapies

The targeted cancer therapies, also known as “molecular targeted therapies,” take advantage of the molecular and genetic differences between the cancer cells and the normal cells. It needs a thorough understanding of the cancer cells to develop drugs that can target specific molecular aspects that drive the growth, progression, and spread of cancer cells without affecting the growth and survival of other normal cells in the body.
There are several types of targeted therapies against specific...
Skin Cancer01:30

Skin Cancer

Skin cancer is a type of cancer that occurs when there is an abnormal growth of skin cells, usually triggered by damage to the DNA within the skin cells. It is primarily caused by exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun or artificial sources like tanning beds. Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer worldwide, and its incidence continues to rise.
Basal Cell Carcinoma (BCC): BCC is the most common type of skin cancer, accounting for about 80% of cases. It typically develops in...
Inhibition of Cdk Activity02:34

Inhibition of Cdk Activity

The orderly progression of the cell cycle depends on the activation of Cdk protein by binding to its cyclin partner. However, the cell cycle must be restricted when undergoing abnormal changes. Most cancers correlate to the deregulated cell cycle, and since Cdks are a central component of the cell cycle, Cdk inhibitors are extensively studied to develop anticancer agents. For instance, cyclin D associates with several Cdks, such as Cdk 4/6, to form an active complex. The cyclin D-Cdk4/6 complex...
Drugs that Stabilize Microtubules01:15

Drugs that Stabilize Microtubules

Microtubules are dynamic structures that undergo cycles of catastrophe and rescue. The microtubules play a central role in cell division by forming the spindle apparatus for segregating the chromosomes. This makes them ideal targets for regulating dividing cells in tumors and malignant cancer cells. Microtubule stabilizing drugs help stabilize the microtubule formation and promote its polymerization. Paclitaxel was the first microtubule stabilizing agent used as anticancer drug in chemotherapy...