ASLAN003, a potent dihydroorotate dehydrogenase inhibitor for differentiation of acute myeloid leukemia

Differentiation therapies achieve remarkable success in acute promyelocytic leukemia, a subtype of acute myeloid leukemia (AML). However, excluding acute promyelocytic leukemia, clinical benefits of differentiation therapies in AML are negligible except for those targeting mutant isocitrate dehydrogenase 1/2. Dihydroorotate dehydrogenase catalyzes the fourth step of the de novo pyrimidine synthesis pathway. ASLAN003 is a highly potent dihydroorotate dehydrogenase inhibitor that induces differentiation, as well as reducing cell proliferation and viability, of AML cell lines and primary AML blasts including chemoresistant cells. Apoptotic pathways are triggered by ASLAN003, and this drug also significantly inhibits protein synthesis and activates AP-1 transcription, contributing to its capacity to promote differentiation. Finally, ASLAN003 substantially reduces leukemic burden and prolongs survival in AML xenograft mice and AML patient-derived xenograft models. Notably, the drug has no evident effect on normal hematopoietic cells and exhibits excellent safety profiles in mice, even after a prolonged period of administration. Our results, therefore, suggest that ASLAN003 is an agent targeting dihydroorotate dehydrogenase with potential for use in the treatment of AML. ASLAN003 is currently being evaluated in a phase IIa clinical trial in patients with AML.