BioCentury
ARTICLE | Distillery Therapeutics

Cancer

October 20, 2016 7:00 AM UTC

Mouse studies suggest inhibiting DHODH could help treat acute AML. In two mouse models of AML, a DHODH inhibitor tool compound increased survival and the levels of markers of differentiation and granulocytic nuclear condensation in bone marrow leukemia cells and decreased the percentage of leukemia cells in bone marrow compared with vehicle. In four xenograft mouse models of AML, the inhibitor decreased tumor growth, increased levels of a differentiation marker in tumor cells and/or increased survival. In a patient-derived xenograft (PDX) mouse model of AML, the inhibitor decreased the percentage of leukemia cells in peripheral blood and bone marrow, and increased levels of two differentiation markers in bone marrow leukemia cells. Next steps include collaborating with Bayer AG to develop DHODH inhibitors.

Sanofi markets two DHODH inhibitors: Arava leflunomide to treat rheumatoid arthritis, and Aubagio teriflunomide to treat multiple sclerosis...