CS18: experimental drug targets cancer's resistance to therapy

Researchers at Baylor College of Medicine developed CS18, an experimental drug that blocks the TopBP1 protein at its BRCT7/8 site, reducing MYC and mutant p53 activity. Combined with PARP inhibitors or osimertinib, CS18 killed cancer cells more effectively and restored sensitivity in osimertinib-resistant lung cancer cells.

• CS18 targets BRCT7/8 of TopBP1, a 'biological switchboard' of cancer pathways
• Combined with PARP inhibitors or osimertinib, it kills more cells than either alone
• Effects seen in breast, ovarian, lung cancers and acute myeloid leukemia
• Animal models showed reduced tumor growth with no major toxicity