MAT2A identified as a target in solid and liquid cancers

INDICATION: Lung; leukemia; lymphoma; solid tumors

Cell and mouse studies suggest inhibiting MAT2A could help treat lung and other solid and liquid cancers. In a panel of human cancer cell lines, including glioblastoma, colorectal cancer, leukemia, lymphoma, melanoma and breast cancer, a tool compound MAT2A inhibitor decreased growth to a greater extent in cells with high levels of MAT2A than in cells with low levels of MAT2A. In a mouse model of lung cancer, a tool compound MAT2A inhibitor decreased tumor growth and the number of tumors compared with cisplatin or vehicle. In a xenograft mouse model of lung cancer, the MAT2A inhibitor decreased tumor growth compared with vehicle. Next steps by Merck & Co. Inc. and the Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR) could include testing MAT2A inhibitors in patient-derived xenograft (PDX) models of lung cancer...