Significance of HSF1 Findings Featured in Nature Communications Cancer Highlights
San Diego, CA, November 17, 2022 – A recent study conducted by researchers at Case Western Reserve University identified Heat Shock Transcription Factor 1 (HSF1) as a key protein driving the renewal of leukemia stem cells in Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML). The findings, featured in Nature Communications Cancer Highlights, identify HSF1 as a potential therapeutic target for AML treatment.
The study demonstrates that HSF1 is specifically required for the maintenance of AML stem cells while sparing steady-state and stressed hematopoiesis. By pharmacologically targeting HSF1 with Sisu Pharma’s selective HSF1 degrader, the researchers observed compelling anti-leukemic effects. The findings could provide new avenues for treating AML, which is maintained by self-renewing leukemic stem cells.
The work features as part of a recent series of cancer-related research featured on the Nature Editor’s Highlights webpage which aim to showcase the 50 best papers recently published in an area. It is linked prominently on the journal homepage (https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-022-33861-1) and a dedicated Editors’ Highlights page (https://www.nature.com/ncomms/editorshighlights).
About Sisu
Sisu Pharma (www.sisupharma.com) is a biotechnology company focused on exploiting cellular stress by directly targeting Heat Shock Factor 1 (HSF1), the central stress protective transcription factor. The company’s HSF1 targeting platform has delivered selective HSF1 degraders for oncology that demonstrate compelling efficacy in therapy-resistant cancer models and provides additional opportunities for developing treatments for neurodegenerative conditions and infectious diseases.
