How molecule RHPS4 targets tumor cells

RHPS4 was shown to trigger a rapid and potent ATR-mediated DNA damage response at telomeres in vitro in human transformed fibroblasts and melanoma cells. When administered to mice transplanted with human tumor cells, RHPS4 induced telomere damage to the human tumor cells that resulted in tumor cell death by a process known as apoptosis. However, if the human tumor cells had been engineered to overexpress the telomere-protective factors TRF2 and POT1 RHPS4 had no anticancer effect. The authors therefore suggest that targeting telomeres, TRF2, or POT1 might provide new approaches to treating individuals with cancer.-Journal of Clinical Investigation