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The long journey to bring a Myc inhibitor to the clinic

Jonathan R Whitfield1, Laura Soucek1,2,3,4

  • 1Vall d'Hebron Institute of Oncology, Edifici Cellex, Barcelona, Spain.

The Journal of Cell Biology
|June 23, 2021
PubMed

Insights

The oncogene Myc drives cancer but has been difficult to drug. Recent breakthroughs have led to a direct Myc inhibitor entering clinical trials, offering new hope for cancer treatment.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Drug Development

Background:

  • The Myc oncogene is frequently deregulated in human cancers, promoting tumor growth and progression.
  • Targeting Myc has been challenging due to its disordered structure and lack of a druggable pocket.
  • Concerns exist regarding potential side effects of Myc inhibitors in normal proliferating tissues.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review strategies for developing Myc inhibitors.
  • To highlight recent advancements in Myc-targeted cancer therapy.
  • To celebrate the milestone of a direct Myc inhibitor entering clinical trials.

Main Methods:

  • Review of scientific literature on Myc and cancer.
  • Analysis of different therapeutic strategies against Myc.
  • Discussion of challenges and breakthroughs in Myc inhibitor development.

Main Results:

  • Major breakthroughs in Myc inhibitor development have occurred recently.
  • A direct Myc inhibitor developed by the authors has entered clinical trials.
  • The development of Myc inhibitors represents a significant advancement against a previously undruggable target.

Conclusions:

  • Myc remains a critical target in oncology.
  • Despite challenges, significant progress has been made in developing Myc inhibitors.
  • The initiation of clinical trials for a direct Myc inhibitor marks a new era in cancer therapy.

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