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Oberlies Group, Mycosynthetix, and collaborators receive R01 grant from National Cancer Institute

A huge congrats to Drs. Nick Oberlies & Cedric Pearce and their collaborators on receiving an R01 grant from the National Cancer Institute! Grant partners include Boston University, Georgia Regents University, Brigham & Women’s Hospital, and Mycosynthetix Inc. 

Their project is entitled “Tumor Specific Delivery of Verticillin A Overcomes Epigenetic Silencing Responsible for Drug Resistance.” This proposal pursues the systematic development of a novel small molecule epigenetic agent, from the verticillin A family (epipolythiodioxopiperizine alkaloids), and chemotherapeutic along with a unique drug delivery systems that localizes and concentrates the agents to peritoneal tumors for the treatment of mesothelioma. Alteration of the epigenetic profile to overcome drug resistance is a key strategy for improving cancer patient care. Specifically, this class of epigenetic agents restores the activity of well-established and commonly used chemotherapeutics (e.g., paclitaxel, cisplatin and 5-fluorouracil) through up-regulation of BNIP3 via histone methyltransferase inhibition rendering it a compelling agent in combination therapies.