Combination Therapy for Increasing Venetoclax Sensitivity in Multiple Myeloma

Application

Marker and co-therapy that inhibits succinate dehydrogenase to increase patient response to venetoclax.

Key Benefits

  • Co-therapy increases MM sensitivity to venetoclax treatment.
  • Identifies patients who will respond to venetoclax therapy.

Market Summary

Multiple Myeloma (MM) is a cancer of plasma cells responsible for making antibody and fighting infection. It is the second most common blood cancer. Current treatments include immunomodulatory drugs, proteasome inhibitors and newer targeted therapies. Chemo-resistant MM is common, with approximately 20% of patients succumbing to aggressive treatment resistance disease shortly after diagnosis. VenclextaTM (ABT-199) is an orally bioavailable, selective BCL-2 antagonist that induces cell death in MM cells, particularly those exhibiting t(11;14) which comprises approximately 7% of MM. Therefore, methods to expand application of VenclextaTM for MM therapy are warranted.

Technical Summary

Emory University researchers have determined that succinate ubiquinone reductase (SQR) activity predicts venetoclax sensitivity. Inhibiting SQR sensitizes resistant cells to venetoclax. The researchers have developed an activity assay to identify MM patients who will respond to venetoclax therapy; as well as have demonstrated efficacy of a combination therapy of venetoclax with an SQR inhibitor. This therapy can help improve the effectiveness of venetoclax therapy in MM.

Developmental Stage

SQR inhibitors are under development.

Patent Information

App Type Country Serial No. Patent No. File Date Issued Date Patent Status
Divisional United States 17/676,666   2/21/2022   Pending
Tech ID: 17233
Published: 6/18/2019