The Institute for Medical Research Israel-Canada (IMRIC)

Druglike Molecular Degraders of the Oncogenic RNA-Binding Protein HuR

In this study, the Benhamou lab developed the first-in-class druglike small molecules that selectively degrade HuR, an oncogenic RNA-binding protein (RBP) implicated in breast cancer. The lead compounds promote HuR degradation in cancer cells, resulting in reduced protein levels and marked suppression of oncogenic phenotypes in both 2D and 3D cellular models. These results provide compelling proof-of-concept that disease-associated RBPs—long deemed “undruggable”—can be effectively targeted using small-molecule–induced degradation strategies.

Opening photo: Bruno Charbit

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