Studies to validate novel inhibitors of TYK2 kinase as anti-cancer therapeutics

The enzyme TYK2 has been shown to be a key therapeutic target in a rare type of leukaemia, T-ALL, which predominantly affects young adults. Sareum has discovered a novel series of selective inhibitors of TYK2, and have shown that they can prevent T-ALL cells from proliferating by causing programmed cell death. The aim of this feasibility study is to assess more compounds against additional T-ALL cell lines and to develop a broader understanding of the biology connecting T-ALL and TYK2. If the project is successful it would warrant further investment in a full lead optimisation programme to develop candidate molecules for clinical trials in patients.