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Targeting MYC through WDR5
Lance R Thomas1, Clare M Adams2, Stephen W Fesik3
1Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN, USA.
Abstract:
The oncoprotein transcription factor MYC is overexpressed in most cancers and is responsible for hundreds of thousands of cancer deaths worldwide every year. MYC is also a highly validated - but currently undruggable - anti-cancer target. We recently showed that breaking the interaction of MYC with its chromatin co-factor WD repeat-containing protein 5 (WDR5) promotes tumor regression in mouse xenografts, laying the foundation for a new strategy to inhibit MYC in the clinic.
Insights
The MYC oncoprotein drives cancer but is hard to drug. Disrupting MYC
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Molecular Biology
- Cancer Research
Background:
- The MYC oncoprotein is overexpressed in many cancers, leading to significant mortality.
- MYC is a validated anti-cancer target, yet remains undruggable with current therapies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the therapeutic potential of inhibiting the MYC oncoprotein.
- To explore the disruption of the MYC-WD repeat-containing protein 5 (WDR5) interaction as a novel anti-cancer strategy.
Main Methods:
- Utilized mouse xenograft models to study tumor regression.
- Focused on breaking the interaction between MYC and its chromatin co-factor WDR5.
Main Results:
- Disrupting the MYC-WDR5 interaction led to significant tumor regression in preclinical models.
- This approach provides a new avenue for MYC inhibition.
Conclusions:
- Targeting the MYC-WDR5 interaction is a promising strategy for cancer therapy.
- This research lays the groundwork for clinical development of MYC-targeted treatments.
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