A New CDK9 Inhibitor on the Block to Treat Hematologic Malignancies

CDK9-specific inhibition with AZD4573 impairs cancer-promoting gene expression such as MCL-1 and has been proven effective in hematologic malignancies preclinical models. This new clinical candidate should be further explored in the clinic not only as a monotherapy but also in combination with BH3 mimetics to prevent treatment resistance.See related article by Cidado et al., p. 922.