Dysregulation of the protein arginine methyltransferase 5 (PRMT5) is associated with lymphomas, lung cancers, and breast cancers. In this First Disclosure, Brehmer and colleagues outline JNJ-64619178, an inhibitor of PRMT5 with potent anti-proliferative activity. JNJ-64619178 occupies the SAM and substrate pockets of PRMT5, trapping it in a catalytically inactive state. PMRT5 inhibition by JNJ-64619178 increased alternatively spliced events and resulted in the killing of primary AML samples ex vivo. Taken together, the results support the continued clinical study of JNJ-64619178 (NCT03573310).
The approval of Trastuzumab deruxtecan demonstrates the potency of the DNA topoisomerase I inhibitor DXd in antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs). DXd-ADCs exhibit a short systemic half-life and ability to optimize the drug-antibody ratio. In this First Disclosure, Okajima and colleagues outline the design of another DXd-containing ADC targeting Trophoblast cell surface antigen 2 (TROP2). Datopotamab deruxtecan is designed to have a shorter half-life than sacituzumab govitecan, a TROP2-directed ADC...