New Sine Qua Non for CMV

Platelet derived growth factor receptor A has been a cancer target since the 2001 approval of Novartis AG's leukemia drug Gleevec, an inhibitor of several Bcr-Abl tyrosine kinase receptors. Now, the pharma company and a trio of biotechs working on platelet derived growth factor receptor A may have had a new indication land in their laps, as a study by California researchers has shown that the receptor is a host factor for cytomegalovirus. The group suggests that disrupting the virus-receptor interaction could prevent CMV infection in transplant patients and pregnant women.¹

Although the cancer companies with anti-platelet derived growth factor receptor A (PDGFRA) molecules declined to comment, infectious disease companies told SciBX it is not yet clear whether targeting PDGFRA would be a feasible or safe strategy in the transplant and pregnancy settings...