Activation of the transcription factor NRF2 is correlated with certain types of aggressive, treatment-resistant cancers and poor patient outcomes. Transcription factors, however, are notoriously challenging to drug, and to date, no direct NRF2 antagonistic therapies exist. Using our unique covalent-first #chemoproteomics screening approach, we have identified a first-in-class NRF2 inhibitor that acts by a new mechanism to regulate this transcriptional circuit and dramatically degrade NRF2. Learn more about this work that is supporting our ongoing Phase 1 clinical trial, which has the potential to dramatically shift the treatment paradigm of NRF2-activated cancers. #CancerResearch #Biotechnology #teamVividion
Thrilled to finally be able to share this story. This is one of those unexpected and miraculous mechanisms that you'd never think would work, except it does. And it's a great demonstration of the fact that small molecule binders can have surprising and diverse consequences: in this case, a single cysteine/pocket can support inhibitors, silent ligands, and activators by making subtle tweaks to the chemistry. It's beyond-exciting that these compounds are currently in clinical trials where we'll get to learn how this mechanism works in actual Nrf2-driven human cancers. Go #teamVividion!