INHIBITION AND TREATMENT OF PROSTATE CANCER METASTASIS

Novel Inhibitors of MEK4 and Prostate Cancer Metastasis NU2007-113 Inventors Raymond Bergan Karl Scheidt Short Description Compositions that effectively inhibit human prostate cancer cell growth Abstract Northwestern researchers have identified novel compounds that effectively block MEK4, a known pharmacological target for the inhibition of cell invasion and metastasis in human prostate cells. The new inhibitors exhibit significantly improved properties when compared to the existing pharmaceutical, genistein. While genistein effectively targets MEK4, inhibits prostate cell motility, and prostate cancer metastasis, these new compositions not only emulate the same anti-cancer effects, but also demonstrate greater anti-invasion efficacy and less toxicity, as defined by decreased cell growth inhibition and/or decreased estrogenic activity. Further, agents of this type offer the potential to treat other forms of cancer. Applications Prostate Cancer Therapeutics Advantages Novel inhibitor Superior to existing pharmacophore Increased cell inhibition Significantly greater efficacy No estrogenic activity No growth inhibitory effects of toxicity IP Status Issued US Patent No. 8,481,760 Marketing Contact Allan Nader, PhD Invention Manager