rvu120

RVU120 is an orally bioavailable, first-in-class small molecule inhibitor that selectively targets cyclin-dependent kinase 8 (CDK8) and cyclin-dependent kinase 19 (CDK19). Developed by Ryvu Therapeutics (originator Selvita), it is designed to disrupt the expression of genes crucial for cancer cell survival and differentiation. By inhibiting CDK8/19—key regulators in the mediator complex controlling transcription—RVU120 interferes with downstream signaling pathways such as STAT proteins and represses homeobox genes essential for leukemic cell viability and self-renewal. This leads to reduced viability of leukemic blasts and stem cells, promotion of erythroid differentiation, reduction in bone marrow fibrosis, improved blood counts (notably red blood cells), and potential synergy with JAK inhibitors. RVU120 has shown clinical activity in acute myeloid leukemia (AML), high-risk myelodysplastic syndromes (HR-MDS), low-risk MDS (LR-MDS), myelofibrosis, and is being explored for solid tumors. It holds orphan drug status for AML[2][3][4][5][6][7].

Other names

7,8-dibromo-9-methyl-2-piperazin-1-yl-5,6-dihydro-4h-imidazo[4,5,1-ij]quinoline hydrochloride4h-imidazo(4,5,1-ij)quinoline, 7,8-dibromo–5,6-dihydro–9-methyl–2-(1-piperazinyl)-