CT-179

CT-179 is an orally bioavailable small molecule inhibitor that targets oligodendrocyte transcription factor 2 (OLIG2), a protein critical for the growth and recurrence of certain brain cancers. OLIG2 is a lineage-specific transcription factor re-expressed in high-grade gliomas (HGG), glioblastoma, and medulloblastoma—especially the Sonic Hedgehog (SHH) subtype. By disrupting OLIG2 dimerization and modulating its gene transcription activity, CT-179 selectively induces apoptosis in OLIG2-positive tumor stem cells at low nanomolar concentrations. The drug has demonstrated efficacy in preclinical models by inhibiting tumor cell growth, causing G2/M cell cycle arrest and mitotic catastrophe, reducing receptor tyrosine kinases such as EGFR and PDGFR, crossing the blood-brain barrier effectively after oral administration, prolonging survival in animal models of HGG and medulloblastoma, delaying disease recurrence when combined with radiation therapy or temozolomide. Developed by Curtana Pharmaceuticals as a novel approach to target cancer stem cells driving resistance and relapse in brain tumors[1][2][4][5][6].

Other names

1-(2-(3-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)ureido)-6-methyl-pyrimidin-4-yl)-amino-3(dimethylamino)propaneUrea, n-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-n'-(4-((3-(dimethylamino)propyl)amino)-6-methyl-2-pyrimidinyl)