EW-7195, a novel inhibitor of ALK5 kinase inhibits EMT and breast cancer metastasis to lung.

Recently, researchers are actively pursuing efforts to develop potent and selective ALK5 (TβRI) kinase inhibitors for clinical development. In this study, the authors examined a novel small molecule inhibitor of ALK5, 3-((4-([1,2,4]triazolo[1,5-a]pyridin-6-yl)-5-(6-methylpyridin-2-yl)-1H-imidazol-2-yl)methylamino)benzonitrile (EW-7195) to determine if it has potential for cancer treatment. The inhibitory effects of EW-7195 on TGF-β-induced Smad signaling and epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) were investigated in mammary epithelial cells using luciferase reporter assays, immunoblotting, confocal microscopy and wound healing assays.