A small molecule drug promoting miRNA processing induces alternative splicing of MdmX transcript and rescues p53 activity in human cancer cells overexpressing MdmX protein.

MdmX overexpression contributes to the development of cancer by inhibiting tumor suppressor p53. A switch in the alternative splicing of MdmX transcript, leading to the inclusion of exon 6, has been identified as the primary mechanism responsible for increased MdmX protein levels in human cancers, including melanoma. However, there are no approved drugs, which could translate these new findings into clinical applications.

Effects of daunomycin and its macromolecular analog daunophilin on the proliferation of mammalian cells.

Effects of daunomycin and daunomycin bound to an HPMA copolymer (daunophilin) on the proliferation of mammalian cells cultivated in vitro were compared. One line of non-tumor cells (LEP human cells) and two tumor cell lines (human HeLa cells and C6 rat cells) were used. It was found that both daunomycin and daunophilin had an inhibitory effect on the proliferation of the three cell lines and that the effect was irreversible.