RP101 (brivudine) binds to heat shock protein HSP27 (HSPB1) and enhances survival in animals and pancreatic cancer patients.

Background: Several reports describe the importance of the chaperone HSP27 (HSPB1) in cancer progression, and the demand for drugs that modulate HSPB1-activity is increasing rapidly. We reported earlier that RP101 (Bromovinyldeoxyuridine, BVDU, Brivudine) improves the efficacy of chemotherapy in pancreatic cancer.

Methods: Chemistry: Binding of RP101 and HSPB1 was discovered by affinity chromatography.