Background:

IC50: A potent and selective suppressor of Ezh2 with IC50 values of 15 nM and 13 nM for wild type Ezh2 and Ezh2 Y641F mutant, respectively

EI1 performs as a highly potent inhibitor of Ezh2 which is named enhancer of zeste homolog 2. Mutation and over-expression of Ezh2 has been linked to the development of cancer. Since Ezh2 is upregulated in multiple cancers, it seems to play a crucial role in the regulation of tumor angiogenesis and has been considered as a potential target in anticancer therapy. Ezh2 stimulates cancer development by inhibiting tumor-suppressing genes. Suppressing Ezh2 activity may therefore inhibit tumor growth. [1]

In vitro: Based on studies from DLBCL cells, it was shown that EI1 suppressed cellular H3K27 methylation and activated expression of Ezh2 target gene - p16. EI1 also blocked H3K27 methylation and cell proliferation in mouse embryonic fibroblasts. In addition, EI1 potently and selectively inhibited the growth of DLBCL cells carrying Ezh2 mutation, and therefore resulted in cell cycle arrest and apoptosis. [1]

In vivo: So far, no in vivo study has been conducted.

Clinical trial: So far, no clinical trial has been conducted.

Reference:
[1]Qia W, Chan HM, Teng L, Li L, Chuai S, Zhang RP, Zeng J, Li M, Fan H, Lin Y, Gu J, Ardayfiob O, Zhang JH, Yan X, Fang J, Mi Y, Zhang M, Zhou T, Feng G, Chen ZJ, Li G, Yang T, Zhao K, Liu X, Yu Z, Lu CX, Atadja P and Li E.  Selective inhibition of Ezh2 by a small molecule inhibitor blocks tumor cells proliferation. Proc Natl Acad Sci. 2012 Dec; 109(52): 213605.