LIF inhibitor

LIF inhibitors are a class of therapeutic agents designed to block the signaling of Leukemia Inhibitory Factor (LIF) or its receptor (LIFR). LIF is a pleiotropic cytokine belonging to the IL-6 family, often overexpressed in various solid tumors, including pancreatic, breast, lung, and ovarian cancers. It promotes tumor progression by maintaining cancer stemness, inducing an immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment, and contributing to cancer-associated cachexia. Inhibition of the LIF/LIFR axis typically targets downstream oncogenic pathways such as JAK/STAT3, MAPK, and AKT. Clinical and preclinical candidates include monoclonal antibodies like MSC-1 (azintuxizumab) and small molecules like EC359.

Other names

Leukemia Inhibitory Factor inhibitorLIFR inhibitor