- Data Indicate that Syros’ Leading Gene Control Platform Can Uncover Cancer Drivers and New Target Opportunities for Potential Treatments -
WATERTOWN, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Syros Pharmaceuticals, a therapeutics company focused on discovering and developing novel gene control therapies, announced today presentation of research at the American Association of Cancer Research (AACR) Hematologic Malignancies Meeting that highlights gene control as an approach to treating cancer, opening the potential for a new wave of cancer drugs targeting gene control elements.
In a poster on Monday, September 22, “Discovery and characterization of super-enhancer-associated dependencies in acute myeloid leukemia (AML),” Syros scientists demonstrated that by examining the entire genomes of tumor cells from patients with AML, important gene control elements not found in normal cells could be identified. The findings support Syros’ novel approach to identifying cancer disease drivers and new points of targeted intervention for this disease.
“Syros’ gene control platform can systematically and efficiently identify known and previously unrecognized tumor biomarkers and cancer dependencies directly from patient tissue,” said Eric Olson, PhD, Syros’ Chief Scientific Officer. “Our data demonstrate unique gene control elements in AML patient subsets that hold promise in the classification and treatment of AML.”
The company also announced that during the meeting’s plenary session on epigenetics on Tuesday, September 23, Syros Co-founder James Bradner, MD, Associate Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Attending Physician & Investigator, Department of Medical Oncology Dana-Farber Cancer Center, and Associate Director, Center for the Science of Therapeutics at the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, will present “Chemical modulation of chromatin structure and function,” highlighting the advances being made in gene control therapies in hematologic malignancies.
About Syros Pharmaceuticals
Syros Pharmaceuticals is a therapeutics company harnessing breakthroughs in gene control to revolutionize the treatment of cancer and other diseases. Syros’ proprietary platform identifies the master switches for disease genes, opening a whole new approach to novel therapeutics. Syros’ initial focus is in cancer, but the company platform will also be applicable to other therapeutic areas. The Company’s founders are pioneers in gene control research and translation. Co-founded and backed by Flagship Ventures and ARCH Venture Partners, Syros Pharmaceuticals is located in Watertown, MA. For more information, visit www.syros.com.
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Source: Syros Pharmaceuticals
Released September 23, 2014