IK-930

For PARP1, two molecules were found with activity comparable to olaparib. For TEAD4, a compound was identified that outperforms the activity of IK-930, the reference inhibitor for this target. In this work, we demonstrate how the workflow can be effectively used to discover novel molecular structures, using the protein families PARP and TEAD as case studies. For each target, one active compound has been identified and confirmed for target engagement that matches the reference inhibitor.

Preclinical and clinical investigations highlight the efficacy of diverse Hippo/YAP-targeted interventions, with recent clinical trials (e.g., VT3989, IK-930, IAG933, ION537) underscoring the translational promise of this pathway. Integrating cutting-edge insights into its regulatory networks and clinical targeting offers novel perspectives for precision oncology. By bridging fundamental discoveries with translational applications, this review establishes Hippo/YAP as a compelling therapeutic target and provides a theoretical foundation for developing innovative CRC therapies.

Combination therapy using IK-930 (TEAD inhibitor) and everolimus (mTORC1 inhibitor) synergistically diminished proliferation and anchorage independent growth of PI3K-activated sarcoma cell lines at low, physiologically achievable doses. TAZ and YAP are transcriptional co-activators downstream of PI3K signaling, a pathway that has lacked a well-defined oncogenic transcription factor. This PI3K-TAZ/YAP axis exists in parallel to the known PI3K-Akt-mTORC1 axis allowing for synergistic combination therapy targeting the TAZ/YAP-TEAD interaction and mTORC1 in sarcomas.

P1, N=67, Terminated, Ikena Oncology | N=198 --> 67 | Trial completion date: Jun 2025 --> Sep 2024 | Active, not recruiting --> Terminated | Trial primary completion date: Jun 2025 --> Aug 2024; Sponsor strategic reasons

P1, N=198, Active, not recruiting, Ikena Oncology | Recruiting --> Active, not recruiting

At present, it has been found the following types of targets: gene mutation targets such as BRCA associated protein 1 (BAP1) and cyclin-dependent kinase 2A (CDKN2A); epigenetic targets such as lysine (K)-specific demethylase 4A (KDM4A) and lysine-specific demethylase 1 (LSD1), and signal protein targets such as glucose-regulated protein 78 (GRP78) and signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3). So far, available clinical trials include phase II clinical trials of histone methyltransferase inhibitor Tazemetostat, poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) inhibitor Rucaparib and cyclin-dependent kinases 4 and 6 (CDK4/6) inhibitor Abemaciclib, as well as phase I clinical trials of mesothelin-targeting chimeric antigen receptor T-cell immunotherapy (CAR-T) cell injection in the thoracic cavity and TEA domain family member (TEAD) inhibitor VT3989 and IK-930, and the results of these trials have showed certain clinical efficacy..

P1, N=198, Recruiting, Ikena Oncology | Trial completion date: Oct 2024 --> Jun 2025 | Trial primary completion date: Oct 2024 --> Jun 2025

Therefore, small molecules that target palmitoylation of TEAD have been explored and VT3989 (NCT04665206) and IK-930 (NCT05228015) have success to enter the clinical trials...In line with the results of the in-vitro experiments, another YAP/TEAD inhibitor TY-0536 in combination with TY-9591 significantly delay the tumor regrowth in the PC9 CDX mouse model...[Shengli Dong and Apeng Liang contributed equally to this work. Jun Li, Shengli Dong, and Apeng Liang are the corresponding authors.]

P1, N=158, Recruiting, Ikena Oncology