Understanding MYC: Why a Key Cancer Gene Is Hard to Stop

The MYC gene helps control cell growth. It is involved in about 70% of human cancers and acts like a master switch for many cancer behaviors.

MYC is hard to target with traditional drugs because its protein has no clear pocket and works inside the cell nucleus. Scientists now study other ways to stop MYC, such as blocking DNA enhancers, changing epigenetic regulators, or using new drug types in clinical trials. One company recently treated the first patient in a Phase 2a trial of a new MYC inhibitor. Other labs in the United States and Europe report early lab findings that point to possible targets.