New compound inhibits Src family kinases

SAN DIEGO-A novel compound, KXO1 (KX2-391) that targets Src family kinases (SFK) inhibited the growth of many cancer cell types in culture and inhibited the growth of human colon cancer cells in animal models, Irwin H. Gelman, PhD, reported at AACR 2008 (abstract 4983). Dr. Gelman is with the Department of Cancer Genetics, Roswell Park Cancer Institute, Buffalo, New York.

Human colon cancer cells, known to have high levels of SFK, can be inhibited by at least 70% by a 1-month regimen of daily oral KXO1 treatments, compared with animal models receiving placebo, he said. The agent, being developed by Kinex Pharmaceuticals, LLC, is currently in phase I trials at M.D. Anderson Cancer Center and Roswell Park.