Overview

• The research, led by Nadav Wallis in Prof. Joel K. Yisraeli’s lab at Hebrew University Hadassah Medical School, is published in Oncogene.
• AVJ16 inhibits the RNA-binding protein IGF2BP1, which is reported to be present in many aggressive tumors and absent in healthy adult tissue.
• In cell studies, the compound slowed growth, curtailed invasion, and triggered tumor cell death without harming healthy lung cells.
• In models implanted with human lung adenocarcinoma cells, AVJ16 injections almost completely prevented tumor growth and metastasis.
• Patient-derived tumor organoids showed selective killing of IGF2BP1-expressing cancer cells, and researchers note the findings are preclinical pending safety and efficacy trials.