Kura Oncology Presents Preclinical Data on Menin Inhibitor for Diabetes

Kura Oncology Inc., a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company, recently revealed promising preclinical data that supports the potential use of menin inhibitors in treating diabetes. This development was showcased at the American Diabetes Association's 84th Scientific Sessions in Orlando, presenting a novel therapeutic approach to an enduring health challenge.

Francis Burrows, Ph.D., Senior Vice President of Translational Research at Kura, highlighted the significance of these findings, emphasizing the persistent unmet needs in managing type 2 diabetes. Despite numerous treatment options, a significant portion of patients struggle to achieve proper glycemic control. The preclinical data for ziftomenib, a menin inhibitor, indicate its potential to improve pancreatic function, meriting further investigation in the context of diabetes.

Type 2 diabetes is characterized by insufficient functional pancreatic beta cells, leading to inadequate insulin production and hyperglycemia. In preclinical in vivo models, ziftomenib demonstrated significant glycemic control, including reduced fasting blood glucose levels and %HbA1C within 27 days. Additionally, the drug showed consistent improvements in both insulin sensitivity and production. These effects persisted even after the discontinuation of the drug, suggesting a restoration of beta-cell mass.

A decline in the function and mass of pancreatic beta cells is a critical factor in the progression of type 2 diabetes. In studies involving human islet microtissues from two donors, ziftomenib induced beta-cell proliferation without affecting non-beta cells. This finding underscores menin as a viable target for therapies aimed at expanding beta-cell mass specifically.

Kura's ziftomenib is already in clinical development for treating acute leukemias, both as a monotherapy and in combination with standard treatments. It has recently received Breakthrough Therapy Designation for treating relapsed or refractory NPM1-mutant acute myeloid leukemia (AML). The company is also progressing with multiple next-generation menin inhibitor drug candidates aimed at diabetes and other metabolic diseases.

Type 2 diabetes, a major global health issue, involves the body's reduced ability to produce insulin and a dysregulated response to insulin. According to the American Diabetes Association, type 2 diabetes accounts for 25.3 million diagnosed cases in the U.S. alone. A significant aspect of the disease's progression is the loss of functional beta-cell mass due to metabolic dysfunction. Beta cells, located in the pancreas, are essential for insulin synthesis and secretion, which in turn helps the body manage glucose levels and energy usage. Despite the known benefits of glycemic control in delaying disease progression, many patients fail to achieve this, leading to severe comorbidities affecting the kidneys, heart, nervous system, and eyes.

Kura Oncology is committed to developing precision medicines for cancer treatment. The company's pipeline includes small molecule drug candidates that target cancer signaling pathways. Ziftomenib, an oral drug targeting the menin-KMT2A protein-protein interaction, has shown promise in clinical trials for AML. Kura is also conducting trials to evaluate ziftomenib in combination with current standards of care for newly diagnosed and relapsed/refractory NPM1-mutant and KMT2A-rearranged AML.

Additionally, Kura's other drug candidate, tipifarnib, is in a Phase 1/2 trial combined with alpelisib for treating PIK3CA-dependent head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. The company is also testing KO-2806, a next-generation farnesyl transferase inhibitor, in a Phase 1 dose-escalation trial as both a monotherapy and in combination with targeted therapies.

Kura's commitment to advancing precision medicines remains steadfast as it explores the potential of menin inhibitors like ziftomenib in addressing both cancer and metabolic diseases such as diabetes.