Debio 1143 is an orally available small molecule that neutralises major inhibitors of apoptosis by mimicking the activity of the natural Second Mitochondrial-derived Activator of Caspases (SMAC). Apoptosis, or “programmed cell death,” is a precisely regulated, complex process ensuring that defective, damaged or superfluous cells are eliminated. Evasion of apoptosis is a hallmark of cancer, enabling cancer cells to live indefinitely and grow uncontrollably.
Most current cancer therapies, including chemotherapeutic agents, radiation, and immunotherapy, work by inducing apoptosis. However, because of molecular alterations in the apoptotic pathways such as deregulated expression of the family of inhibitor of apoptosis proteins (IAPs), many cancer cells are resistant or develop resistance to these agents.
By targeting IAPs, the SMAC mimetic Debio 1143 can induce cancer cell death and/or potentiate the efficacy of other treatments.
