Work

Drug repurposing of fostamatinib against cancer via potential cytotoxicity and immune checkpoint regulation

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Acute myeloid leukemia (AML), originating from myeloid hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells, is a malignant hematological disorder. Resistance to current treatments, especially in FLT3-ITD AML cases, urgently demands the development of novel therapeutics. In this study, we pinpointed fostamatinib, an orally delivered small molecule SYK inhibitor for chronic immune thrombocytopenia (ITP), as a promising candidate for drug repurposing. It effectively inhibited FLT3-ITD+ AML cell proliferation and induced leukemic cell apoptosis. Network pharmacology analysis further deciphered the associated pharmacological mechanism related to the PI3K-AKT signaling pathway. Moreover, fostamatinib downregulated the expression of immune checkpoints such as PD-L1 and CD47. Overall, this study provided a conceptual foundation for evaluating the advantages of drug repurposing in AML drug development.

Source: Frontiers in Immunology

DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2025.1602189

Authors: Maoqiong Hu, Renyi Yin, Kaifeng Deng, Ning Xu

Institutions: Wuhan No.1 Hospital, Fourth Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Guangxi Medical University

Language: English

Topic: Acute Myeloid Leukemia Research

Subfield: Hematology

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $3,801