Grant Award Details

Development of novel small molecules against cancer stem cells in solid cancers
Grant Number: 
DISC2-14083
Project Objective: 
  • Obtain evidence of disease modifying activity for MXC-017 in patient GBM transplant plus irradiation model.
Investigator: 
Disease Focus: 
Brain Cancer
Cancer
Solid Tumors
Human Stem Cell Use: 
Cancer Stem Cell
Award Value: 
$2,340,000
Status: 
Pre-Active

Grant Application Details

Application Title: 
  • Development of novel small molecules against cancer stem cells in solid cancers
Public Abstract: 

Research Objective

To study and optimize lead compounds with multi-kinase activity against existing glioma stem cells and radiation-induced phenotype conversion of non-stem glioma cells into induced glioma stem cells.

Impact

Glioblastoma is a universally deadly disease. While radiotherapy prolongs survival in glioblastoma it has hit a critical barrier. The proposed study aims to improve the efficacy of radiotherapy in GBM

Major Proposed Activities

  • Define and validate the molecular targets of MXC017 and MXC079 in vitro and in vivo
  • Optimize the MXC017 and MXC079 to increase their activity against existing glioma stem cells and to prevent radiation-induced conversion of non-stem glioma cells into induced glioma stem cells
  • Perform PK studies in tumor-bearing mice
  • To demonstrate efficacy of MXC017 and/or MXC079 against glioblastoma alone and in combination with radiation in patient-derived orthotopic models of glioblastoma
Statement of Benefit to California: 

Glioblastoma is a universally deadly disease and treatment outcome has not been improved for two decades.

The standard-of-care for patients with glioblastoma is surgery, followed by radiotherapy and chemotherapy and the median survival is only 15-18 months. The proposed studies aim to develop novel compounds against glioblastoma that will enhance the efficacy of radiotherapy to improve survival for patients with GBM, thereby improving value-based care and the life of Californians.