Scientists from the Cima and the Clínica Universidad de Navarra have received the award of research Dr. Antoni Esteve Foundation, which distinguishes the best Spanish pharmacology work of the last two years. The award, endowed with 18,000 euros, was presented this morning in Pamplona.

Researchers designed in 2017 a compound that improves survival in animal models with acute leukemias and lymphomas. The results, published in the journal Nature Communications, open a therapeutic avenue for patients with hematological tumors with worse prognosis.

The treatment of hematological tumors has acquired a novel approach thanks to the administration of epigenetic drugs, based on molecular modifications that alter the activity of genes in the development of cancer. The University of Navarra's group designed a molecule, called CM-272, which simultaneously blocks the activity of two epigenetic enzymes involved in the development of different types of tumors, histone methyltransferase (G9a) and DNA methyltransferase (DNMT1). "As a consequence, it induces cell death in acute myeloid leukemia, acute lymphoblastic leukemia and non-Hodgking lymphoma," explains Dr. Felipe Prósper, co-director of the Hematology Service at Cima and Clínica Universidad de Navarra, and one of the coordinators of work.

The results, confirmed in animals, are a fundamental first step for the development of new compounds as a possible treatment for patients with these tumors, which would act as a complementary strategy to current treatments. According to the researchers, "CM-272 is presented as a selective drug and represents a new, safer and more effective therapeutic approach for hematological tumors that currently have a poor prognosis". 

 

• article awarded:
  Nature CommunicationsDiscovery of first-in-class reversible dual small molecule inhibitors againts G9a and DNMTs in hematological malignancies.