CPOD Faculty Publication Spotlight - Li Lab

Kropp EM, Matono S, Wang OY, Robida AM, Kandarpa M, Grant JL, Oleson BJ, Alt A, Talpaz M, Pianko MJ, Li Q. Cell Death & Disease. 2026 March 9. Small molecule screening identifies cytotoxic endoplasmic reticulum-associated degradation inhibitors in multiple myeloma.

From the Publication:

"In this study, we performed the first cell-based high throughput small molecule screen and identified omaveloxolone (RTA408) as a novel endoplasmic reticulum associated degradation (ERAD) inhibitor that selectively impairs the degradation of ER luminal and membrane substrates without affecting cytosolic proteins. RTA408 demonstrated potent in vitro and in vivo antitumor activity in multiple myeloma cells via activation of the death including signaling complex (DISC). This not only represents an important tool that can be used to dissect ERAD biology but also can facilitate development of new therapeutic interventions for cancer."

Pictured from Dr. Li's Lab