mCPX

mCPX is a novel small molecule pro-drug of the antifungal and iron-chelating agent ciclopirox (CPX), specifically developed to treat Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV)-positive epithelial malignancies, including gastric cancer. Designed to overcome the instability of its parent compound, mCPX incorporates a protective group that enhances resistance to iron-mediated degradation and inactivation, thereby improving its in vivo stability and anti-tumor efficacy. The drug's mechanism of action involves the induction of the EBV lytic cycle, triggering a transition from viral latency to the lytic phase. This process results in cancer cell lysis and the expression of viral proteins that facilitate immune recognition and targeting by antiviral agents. This lytic induction is primarily mediated through the hypoxia pathway, where mCPX increases the binding of hypoxia-inducible factor 1-alpha (HIF1α) to chromatin regions associated with genes that regulate tumor cell proliferation and migration. Preclinical studies in xenograft models have demonstrated that mCPX possesses superior anti-tumor activity compared to both CPX and other pro-drugs such as fosciclopirox.

Other names

protected ciclopirox derivative