UM4118

UM4118 is a next-generation copper ionophore and an analog of elesclomol. It is designed to induce cuproptosis, a mitochondria-dependent, nonapoptotic form of cell death regulated by copper. UM4118 is being investigated for the treatment of acute myeloid leukemia (AML), particularly in cases with TP53 loss-of-function mutations. Unlike standard therapies like cytarabine or venetoclax, which rely on p53-mediated apoptosis, UM4118 bypasses defective apoptotic pathways by activating cuproptosis. Research conducted at Johns Hopkins University suggests that UM4118 exhibits potent anti-leukemic activity across various TP53-deficient AML models and shows synergistic effects when combined with hypomethylating agents like decitabine.