Science
The Problem
Cancers need an exceptional amount of energy to proliferate and they adapt their metabolic strategies to achieve this. These adaptations result in high levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) within the cancer cell. Cancers are prone to damage from increased ROS, so to counterbalance excessive ROS, tumor cells increase expression of PRX3 – a neutralizer of ROS to survive and proliferate.
Cancers need an exceptional amount of energy to proliferate and they adapt their metabolic strategies to achieve this. These adaptations result in high levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) within the cancer cell. Cancers are prone to damage from increased ROS, so to counterbalance excessive ROS, tumor cells increase expression of PRX3 – a neutralizer of ROS to survive and proliferate.
The Problem
The Solution
RS Oncology’s lead asset RSO-021 is a first-in-class small molecule that irreversibly binds and inhibits mitochondrial PRX3. RSO-021 is safe and well tolerated in humans, with demonstrated efficacy in our ongoing Ph2 trial.
Inhibition of the PRX3 antioxidant signaling network in mitochondria results in selective killing of malignant cells by upregulation of oxidative stress; in contrast, healthy tissue is spared. In preclinical models, RSO-021 reduces tumor growth in mice, sensitizes tumor cells to apoptosis, and reduces the expression of pro-metastatic epithelial to mesenchymal (EMT) genes.
RS Oncology’s lead asset RSO-021 is a first-in-class small molecule that irreversibly binds and inhibits mitochondrial PRX3. RSO-021 is safe and well tolerated in humans, with demonstrated efficacy in our ongoing Ph2 trial.
Inhibition of the PRX3 antioxidant signaling network in mitochondria results in selective killing of malignant cells by upregulation of oxidative stress; in contrast, healthy tissue is spared. In preclinical models, RSO-021 reduces tumor growth in mice, sensitizes tumor cells to apoptosis, and reduces the expression of pro-metastatic epithelial to mesenchymal (EMT) genes.
The Solution
Mechanism of Action of RSO-021
