SW-22

SW-22 is a novel non-steroidal Vitamin D Receptor (VDR) agonist developed for the treatment of acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Unlike traditional steroidal VDR agonists such as 1α,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3, SW-22 is designed to minimize the risk of hypercalcemia. Its therapeutic mechanism involves the activation of VDR in mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), which triggers the secretion of extracellular vesicles (EVs) containing neutrophil elastase (NE). These vesicles are taken up by AML blasts, initiating differentiation into monocyte-like cells via the activation of the p38 MAPK–STAT3 signaling pathway. In preclinical models, SW-22 has demonstrated synergistic effects when combined with umbilical cord-derived MSCs, significantly reducing leukemia burden and improving survival.