Small Molecular Inhibitors Reverse Cancer Metastasis by Blockading Oncogenic PITPNM3

Abstract

Most cancer-related deaths are a result of metastasis. The development of small molecular inhibitors reversing cancer metastasis represents a promising therapeutic opportunity for cancer patients. This pan-cancer analysis identifies oncogenic roles of membrane-associated phosphatidylinositol transfer protein 3 (PITPNM3), which is crucial for cancer metastasis. Small molecules targeting PITPNM3 must be explored further. Here, PITPNM3-selective small molecular inhibitors are reported. These compounds exhibit target-specific inhibition of PITPNM3 signaling, thereby reducing metastasis of breast cancer cells. Besides, by using nanoparticle-based delivery systems, these PITPNM3-selective compounds loaded nanoparticles significantly repress metastasis of breast cancer in mouse xenograft models and organoid models. Notably, the results establish an important metastatic-promoting role for PITPNM3 and offer PITPNM3 inhibition as a therapeutic strategy in metastatic breast cancer.