The data showed inhibition of cell growth, decrease in Beta-catenin protein levels and potent induction of apoptosis in myeloma cells by the Beta-catenin pathway inhibitors. Gene expression biomarkers that report on Beta-catenin pathway inhibition in myeloma cells were identified and used to monitor Beta-catenin pathway inhibition.
Optimization of the compound series was developed in less than 12 months by utilizing AvalonRx, the company’s proprietary biomarker centric approach which increased the potency of the compounds (>50-fold) on the pathway and led to a series of compounds that have activity in tumor models.
Stephen Horrigan, vice president of research at Avalon, said: “Studies show that inhibition of the Wnt/Beta-catenin pathway could be an effective treatment for many cancers, including multiple myeloma.”