The NIMA program aims to develop drugs that inhibit the protein NNMT for the treatment of solid tumors.
An important aspect in the development of a tumor is that the cancer cells can influence their own environment to facilitate the tumor’s growth. This environment is called the tumor microenvironment and is different from the environment around the healthy cells in the body. The cancer cells’ ability to reprogram healthy cells in the tumor facilitates tumor growth and can prevent the body’s immune system from attacking the tumor.
NNMT has been shown to be important for the reprogramming of the tumor microenvironment. Sprint Bioscience is developing inhibitors of this protein to block the growth of cancer cells and restore the immune system’s ability to attack them. High levels of NNMT have been found in glioblastoma, ovarian, breast and colon cancer and is linked to poor prognosis.
