BioCentury
ARTICLE | Emerging Company Profile

Karyopharm: Shushing the usher

Karyopharm blocks export of tumor suppressor proteins; blood cancers first

February 28, 2011 8:00 AM UTC

In the battle with the human body's natural defense mechanisms, one of the favorite tricks of tumor cells is to use karyopherins to usher tumor suppressor proteins outside the nucleus where they can no longer regulate the cell cycle, thus paving the way for unchecked growth and proliferation. Karyopharm Therapeutics Inc. is developing small molecules that inhibit karyopherins, which it hopes will prevent cancer cells from hijacking the normal cell cycle without the risk of tumor resistance.

Karyopharm's lead program targets exportin 1 (XPO1; CRM1). The company hopes to enter Phase I testing for severe hematologic malignancies in 12-24 months...