Targeting Septins Controls Ovarian Tumor Growth

Objective: Septins are GTP-binding cytoskeletal proteins that participate in cytokinesis, cell migration, chromosomal dynamics, and protein secretion. Malignancies exhibit altered septin expression and mutations. Pharmacologic tools to curb septin-orchestrated malignancies are needed. However, the oligomeric structures of septins mount considerable challenges in designing targeted therapies, and thus the small molecule modulators of septins remain unavailable. As a part of an ongoing study, we have identified a small molecule, UR214-9, that causes septin catastrophe and controls tumor growth. In this study the pharmacologic characterization and antitumor effects of UR214-9 in ovarian cancer models are described.