Research
MyCural originate from cancer research at Karolinska Institutet in Sweden
Cancer research
We are researchers with expertise in cancer biology with particular focus on the MYC oncogene, which plays a crucial role in tumor development.
As part of this research, we have developed methods and model systems to screen for, characterize and validate potential candidate drugs targeting the MYC oncoprotein in tumor cells.
By the use of these methods we have identified several small MYC-binding molecules and shown that they have potent and specific MYC-inhibitory activity in tumor models.
New Cancer therapies
Candidate drugs are now being developed by MyCural Therapeutics with the aim to establish a new cancer therapy for patients with MYC-driven aggressive high-risk tumors.
Targeting the MYC oncoprotein
MYC – the main driver in cancer
More than 50% of all cancers are driven by MYC, correlating with aggressive disease, metastases and resistance to therapy.
Why are there no drugs targeting MYC in the clinic?
There are no drugs or therapies specifically targeting MYC in clinical practice today. One reason for this is that MYC has been described as ”undruggable” because of it’s disordered structure, and is therefore not behaving like a conventional drug target. It doesn’t have any enzymatic activity or binding pockets, but rather functions by binding to other proteins. For these reasons it is difficult to design drugs that bind MYC.
MYC – a key target in cancer
Deregulated MYC expression in tumor cells is often a poor prognostic marker. Tumor cells usually become addicted to MYC and shut down of MYC by genetic means often lead to complete tumor regression with few side effects in mouse tumor models. This makes MYC a desirable drug target in cancer.
Our strategy to inhibit MYC
MYC is dependent on interactions with other proteins to function as an oncoprotein. One of MYC’s most important partners is MAX. We have identified and validated small molecule inhibitors of the interaction between MYC and MAX, so called MYCMIs, that potently and specifically kill MYC-driven tumor cells but spares normal cells and prolongs survival of mice in mouse tumor models.
Our vision is to create a new cancer therapy
Our vision is to develop a new cancer therapy for patients with high-risk tumors
Targeting the MYC oncoprotein at MyCural Therapeutics
We have identified small molecule binders of MYC that selectively inhibit MYC in tumor cell lines.
Candidate drugs are now being developed by MyCural Therapeutics with the aim to present a new cancer therapy for patients with MYC-driven cancers and aggressive high-risk tumors.
Dr. Alina Castell
Prof. Lars-Gunnar Larsson
