A study conducted by researchers from the Institute of Cancer Research in London and Cyclacel has recently been published in PLOS ONE. This investigation examined fadraciclib as a potential therapy for fighting cancer. This treatment targeted both CDK9 and CDK2, meaning it could be advantageous for multiple cancer types.

This isn’t the first study to examine CDK pathways. But, this study for the first time highlighted the benefits of simultaneously inhibiting CDK2 and CDK9. It is a dual target approach, and two is always better than one, right?

CDK stands for Cyclin-Dependent Kinases. These are essential for cell regulation. Fadraciclib is an oral or IV therapy which inhibits two of these pathways.

The Research

The first examination of this approach found that the oral form of the therapy was just as effective as the IV form. Preclinical investigations focused on AML cells, breast cancer cells, colorectal cells, and leukemia cells. Now, another investigation is being planned for patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) specifically. Enrollment for this study will begin in the first quarter of next year.

So far, all research has supported the further development of this therapy. Findings were positive for breast cancer and AML. In mouse models of AML, the growth of tumors was inhibited by almost 100% using an oral form of the therapy.

The first study with fadraciclib in humans is still ongoing. But suppression of the biomarker MCL1 was achieved after just one dose. For five patients with MCL1, cyclin E, and MYC cancers, shrinkage of tumors was observed.

Part two of this examination is using a greater dose of the therapy. This study is also still ongoing. For endometrial cancer, partial response was observed.

Fadraciclib is also currently being studied in combination with venetoclax for AML and MDS.

Looking  Forward

As a whole the future of this therapy appears very promising. Based on preclinical data, researchers are hopeful that fadraciclib could serve as a therapeutic option for both adult and pediatric cancer patients with a wide array of diagnoses. They see promise for multiple myeloma, ovarian cancer, neuroblastoma, breast cancer, chronic lymphocytic leukemia, acute lymphoblastic leukemia, AML, B-cell lymphomas, as well as uterine serous carcinoma.

You can read more about this new anti-cancer drug here.