Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41239499›Full record

ArticleJournal of experimental & clinical cancer research : CR2025

An immunometabolic prodrug strategy overcomes DHODH inhibitor resistance in refractory melanoma.

Yongrui Hai, Wenhui Wang, Renming Fan, Ye Chen, Junyan Zhuang, Shuo Fu, Guiquan Ding, Lei Liang, Junke Song, Gaofei Wei

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Journal of experimental & clinical cancer research : CR, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
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1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

10 authors.

Yongrui Hai *Institute of Medical Research, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an, 710072, China.
Wenhui Wang *Institute of Medical Research, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an, 710072, China.
Renming Fan *Institute of Medical Research, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an, 710072, China.
Ye Chen *Institute of Medical Research, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an, 710072, China.
Junyan ZhuangInstitute of Medical Research, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an, 710072, China.
Shuo FuInstitute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100050, China.
Guiquan DingInstitute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100050, China.
Lei LiangDepartment of Colorectal Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, 200032, China.
Junke SongInstitute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100050, China. smilejunke@imm.ac.cn.
Gaofei WeiInstitute of Medical Research, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an, 710072, China. weigf0605@163.com.

Funding

CAMS Innovation Fund for Medical Sciences 2022-I2M-1-015Innovation Foundation for Doctor Dissertation of Northwestern Polytechnical University ZX2025005National Natural Science Foundation of China 82173682National Natural Science Foundation of China 82374074Shenzhen Science and Technology Program JCYJ20240813150807010
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundMetabolic reprogramming, particularly upregulated de novo pyrimidine biosynthesis, drives cancer progression and immune evasion. Dihydroorotate dehydrogenase (DHODH), a key enzyme in this pathway, is a promising therapeutic target, but its inhibitors often face resistance in immune-refractory melanoma, linked to low basal stimulator of interferon genes (STING) expression.

methodsTo overcome this limitation, we designed H62, a tumor-selective prodrug conjugating the DHODH inhibitor EA6 with the STING agonist MSA-2 via a cathepsin B-cleavable linker. Mechanistic studies evaluated mitochondrial disruption, pyroptosis (caspase-3/GSDME), and STING-mediated interferon signaling, alongside natural killer (NK) cell recruitment. Efficacy was tested in multiple melanoma models, including standard and neoadjuvant settings.

resultsH62 synergistically induced mitochondrial dysfunction and pyroptosis while activating STING/type I interferon responses, enhancing NK cell cytotoxicity. In melanoma models, it significantly suppressed tumor growth, reduced postoperative recurrence, and improved survival.

conclusionsThis dual-targeting strategy overcomes DHODH inhibitor resistance by coupling metabolic interference with innate immune activation, offering translational potential for melanoma and other treatment-resistant cancers.

Indexed as

Drug Resistance, NeoplasmEnzyme InhibitorsMelanomaOxidoreductases Acting on CH-CH Group DonorsProdrugsAnimalsCell Line, TumorDihydroorotate DehydrogenaseHumansMiceXenograft Model Antitumor AssaysDihydroorotate DehydrogenaseEnzyme InhibitorsOxidoreductases Acting on CH-CH Group DonorsProdrugsDHODH inhibitor resistanceImmunometabolismNK cellPyroptosisSTING pathway

Identifiers

PMID41239499
PMCPMC12619403

What Socratic holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the Socratic graph.