URV3

URV3 is a novel small molecule inhibitor of the erythropoietin receptor (EPOR). It is currently being investigated for its potential to impede cell proliferation and invasion in metastatic melanoma, particularly in phenotypes harboring BRAF mutations. Research presented at AACR 2025 indicates that EPOR stimulation by erythropoietin (EPO) promotes a highly proliferative and invasive phenotype in melanoma cells, and URV3 acts to block these effects. Specifically, URV3 has demonstrated a strong inhibitory effect on melanoma cell invasion in vitro, even when challenged with additional EPO stimulation, suggesting its potential as a therapeutic strategy to address poor survival outcomes associated with high EPOR expression in cutaneous melanoma.