Cancer

Patient sample, cell culture and mouse studies suggest agonizing FXR could help treat colorectal cancer. In colorectal cancer patient samples, low tumor expression of an FXR-induced gene signature was associated with poor survival. In mouse colon adenocarcinoma tumor organoids, a tool compound FXR agonist or the FXR agonist Ocaliva obeticholic acid decreased growth compared with vehicle. In mouse models of colon adenoma and adenocarcinoma, the FXR agonist tool compound decreased tumor numbers. Next steps could include testing FXR agonists in patient-derived xenograft (PDX) models of colorectal cancer.

Intercept Pharmaceuticals Inc. and Sumitomo Dainippon Pharma Co. Ltd. market Ocaliva for cirrhosis and have the compound in Phase III testing for non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) and Phase II testing for liver disease...