No TIME Like the Present: Drug Discovery Initiatives in Cancer -Southern Research Institute

The webinar presented by Dr. Rebecca Buhacker focused on Southern Research’s oncology drug development efforts, with a particular emphasis on understanding and targeting the tumor immune microenvironment. Dr. Buhacker highlighted three programs at Southern Research that tackle different aspects of the immune microenvironment: repurposing of nucleoside analogs like thiabine to induce immunogenic cell death, developing small molecule PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors, and modulating the tumor microenvironment through inhibition of the transcription factor GLI. The presentation also discussed the importance of a holistic approach to drug discovery, considering the complex interplay between the tumor cells, immune cells, and various signaling pathways.

Key Points:

1. The tumor immune microenvironment plays a crucial role in the success of therapeutic interventions, and understanding its complexity is essential for effective drug development.
2. Repurposing nucleoside analogs like thiabine can induce immunogenic cell death and generate durable antitumor immune responses when combined with checkpoint inhibitors.
3. Southern Research has developed small molecule inhibitors of PD-1/PD-L1 interaction, which could offer advantages over large biologics in terms of oral bioavailability and clearance.
4. Inhibition of the transcription factor GLI can modulate the tumor immune microenvironment by targeting pathways involved in immune exclusion, chemo-resistance, and metastasis.
5. A holistic approach, combining computational biology, bioinformatics, and a systems-level understanding of the tumor microenvironment, is crucial for successful drug discovery and precision oncology.

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