Regulated Necrotic Cell Death: Novel Opportunities for Drug Discovery

Welcome to a seminar series´ webinar organized by the multi-disciplinary research community Drug Discovery and Delivery (DrugTech) at the University of Eastern Finland.

Professor Koen Augustyns from the University of Antwerp, Medicinal Chemistry research group (UAMC), Belgium will give a talk on ​Regulated Necrotic Cell Death: Novel Opportunities for Drug Discovery.

Homeostasis of organisms is highly dependent on a fine balance between cell survival and cell death. For several decades, apoptosis was described as the only pathway for cells to die in a programmed way, whereas necrosis was considered unregulated. The understanding that necrosis can also occur in a highly controlled manner revitalized cell death research. It opened new opportunities for the development of novel drugs that interfere with these non-apoptotic cell death pathways involved in inflammation, neurodegeneration and other diseases. Nowadays, regulated cell death is classified according to the molecular mechanisms involved. Several forms of regulated cell death are under intensive investigation and will be briefly reviewed.Ferroptosis is characterized by iron-dependent lipid peroxidation and will be discussed in more detail. It can be inhibited with radical trapping agents such as Ferrostatin-1 (Fer-1). We have developed a large series of Fer-1 analogues with improved potency and ADME properties. The optimized lead compound UAMC-3203 shows promising potential in mouse disease models of ferroptosis.

No registration required. Welcome!

For further information, please contact Karin Koivisto, email karin.koivisto@uef.fi.