Development of synthetic sphingolipids for prostate cancer therapy

PROJECT SUMMARY The objective of this project is to develop the synthetic sphingolipid SGE-893 (893) into an FDA-approved cancer therapy, with the ultimate goal of reducing mortality and morbidity rates in end-stage, drug-resistant prostate cancer. 893 shows promising pharmacological characteristics and potent anti-cancer activity in pre-clinical models while sparing normal tissues. 893 and related molecules have a novel mechanism of action, simultaneously engaging two validated oncology targets. This dual-target approach is deadly to cancer cells and predicted to reduce the risk of resistance. Despite its pleiotropic actions, 893 is well-tolerated by normal proliferating cells. Thus, 893 shows potential as a single-agent therapy that could produce a durable response even in hard-to-treat cancers like late-stage prostate, for which systemic chemotherapy remains the standard- of-care (SOC) and high recurrence and mortality rates are driven by resistance. As 893’s mechanism of action further suggests that it could sensitize drug-resistant tumors to FDA-approved agents, 893 may have additional clinical applications as a component of combination therapy. With key de-risking studies completed, we are proposing a Direct-to-Phase II approach. The objectives of Aim 1 are to extend the Target Product Profile by evaluating efficacy in combination with FDA-approved agents and to validate pharmacodynamics markers that can be used to measure target engagement in a phase 1 trial. Aim 2 proposes toxicology studies required for an IND application. The expected results would become part of a strong portfolio demonstrating acceptable toxicity to share with the FDA. Were it to be approved for patient use, this innovative molecule would become a first-in- class compound, offering hope and reducing mortality in PC patients whose tumors fail to respond to or become resistant to SOC.PROJECT NARRATIVE Resistance to therapy is the primary cause of death in cancer patients. By targeting two common liabilities of cancer cells (addiction to nutrients and pro-growth signaling), synthetic sphingolipids like Siege’s compound SGE-893 minimize the risk of resistance while inhibiting proliferation, even in late-stage tumors. This project will evaluate whether SGE-893 can overcome resistance to FDA-approved agents and collect toxicity data necessary to file an IND application with the FDA.