Scientists tested a new experimental drug called CUDC-907 on uterine cancer cells and tumors in mice. This drug works by blocking two different pathways that help cancer grow. The research showed that the drug stopped cancer cells from multiplying, restored the cancer’s sensitivity to existing hormone treatments, and shrank tumors in mice—especially those on high-fat diets. The findings suggest this drug could help patients whose uterine cancer has become resistant to current treatments, particularly those who are overweight. While these results are encouraging, the drug still needs to be tested in human patients before it can be used in clinics.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: Whether a new experimental drug called CUDC-907 could stop uterine cancer from growing by blocking two specific cellular pathways that fuel cancer development
  • Who participated: Laboratory studies used uterine cancer cells in dishes, and animal studies used mice with uterine cancer tumors placed under their skin. Some mice were fed regular food, some high-fat food, and some were fasted to test how different body conditions affected the drug’s effectiveness
  • Key finding: CUDC-907 successfully stopped cancer cells from growing in the lab and shrank tumors in mice. The drug was especially effective in mice on high-fat diets. It also restored cancer sensitivity to hormone therapy and lowered a protein called IGF-1 that may indicate how well the drug is working
  • What it means for you: This research suggests a potential new treatment option for uterine cancer patients whose tumors have stopped responding to current hormone therapies. However, this is early-stage research conducted in labs and animals—human clinical trials are needed before this drug can be prescribed to patients

The Research Details

This was a laboratory and animal study designed to test a new drug’s effectiveness against uterine cancer. Researchers first tested CUDC-907 on cancer cells grown in dishes using a standard test that measures how many cells survive after drug treatment. They used a technique called Western blotting to examine which proteins increased or decreased when the drug was applied. Next, they created tumors in mice by implanting human uterine cancer cells under the skin. To make the study more realistic, they tested the drug in three groups of mice: those eating normal food, those eating high-fat food (to mimic obesity), and those that were fasted. Finally, they measured a protein called IGF-1 in the mice’s blood to see if it could serve as a marker showing whether the drug was working.

This research approach is important because uterine cancer is often linked to obesity, and many patients develop resistance to current hormone treatments. By testing the drug in mice on different diets, researchers could see if it works better in conditions that mimic real-world obesity. Testing in living animals (rather than just cells in dishes) shows whether the drug can actually reach tumors and work effectively in a whole body system

Strengths of this study include testing the drug both in laboratory cells and in living animals, using multiple experimental conditions (different diets), and measuring multiple markers of drug effectiveness. The study was published in a peer-reviewed scientific journal, meaning other experts reviewed it before publication. Limitations include that this is animal research, not human research, so results may not translate directly to patients. The sample size of mice is not specified in the abstract, making it difficult to assess statistical power

What the Results Show

CUDC-907 rapidly blocked a cellular pathway called PI3K/AKT that normally helps cancer cells survive and multiply. Specifically, the drug reduced three key proteins (p-AKT, p-rS6, and p-4EBP1) that are involved in cancer growth. At the same time, the drug blocked another pathway called HDAC, which controls how genes are expressed. The drug restored production of a protein called the progesterone receptor, which is important for hormone therapy to work. It also increased protective proteins like FOXO1 and p21 while decreasing cancer-promoting proteins like Myc and HER2. In living mice with tumors, CUDC-907 significantly slowed tumor growth and helped the mice survive longer. Remarkably, the drug was most effective in mice fed high-fat diets, suggesting it may work especially well in overweight patients. The drug triggered cancer cell death through two different mechanisms (intrinsic and extrinsic apoptosis), meaning it kills cancer cells in multiple ways.

An important secondary finding was that CUDC-907 treatment lowered blood levels of a protein called IGF-1. This is significant because IGF-1 may serve as a ‘biomarker’—a measurable sign in the blood that shows whether the drug is working. This could help doctors monitor treatment effectiveness in future patients without needing to repeatedly biopsy tumors. The restoration of progesterone receptor expression is also noteworthy because it suggests the drug could re-sensitize resistant cancers to existing hormone therapies, potentially allowing doctors to use combination treatments

Current standard treatment for uterine cancer involves progestin (a synthetic hormone), which works well initially but often fails as tumors develop resistance by losing their progesterone receptors. This study builds on previous research showing that obesity-related factors activate the PI3K/AKT pathway and interfere with hormone therapy. By targeting both PI3K and HDAC pathways simultaneously, CUDC-907 represents a more comprehensive approach than single-pathway inhibitors tested previously. The finding that the drug restores progesterone receptor expression is particularly novel, as it addresses a key mechanism of treatment resistance

This study has several important limitations. First, all experiments were conducted in laboratory dishes or mice—not in human patients. Cancer behavior in mice often differs from human cancer, so results may not translate directly to clinical use. Second, the abstract does not specify how many mice were used or provide detailed statistical analysis, making it difficult to assess the strength of the findings. Third, the study did not test CUDC-907 combined with progestin therapy, even though the authors suggest this combination could be beneficial. Fourth, long-term side effects and toxicity in animals were not discussed. Finally, this is early-stage research; the drug would need to pass safety testing and human clinical trials before becoming available to patients

The Bottom Line

Based on this research, CUDC-907 appears to be a promising candidate for further development as a uterine cancer treatment, particularly for patients whose tumors have become resistant to hormone therapy. However, confidence in these recommendations is currently LOW because this is animal research only. The appropriate next step is human clinical trials to determine if the drug is safe and effective in actual patients. Patients with uterine cancer should continue following their doctor’s current treatment recommendations and discuss any new experimental treatments only with their oncology team

This research is most relevant to: (1) uterine cancer patients, especially those with hormone-resistant tumors; (2) overweight or obese patients with uterine cancer, as the drug showed enhanced effectiveness in this population; (3) oncologists and cancer researchers developing new treatments; (4) pharmaceutical companies considering this drug for further development. This research is NOT yet relevant to patients seeking immediate treatment options, as the drug is not yet approved for human use

If CUDC-907 moves forward to human clinical trials, it typically takes 5-10 years for a new cancer drug to progress from early testing to FDA approval and clinical availability. Even if approved, it would likely first be offered to patients with advanced, treatment-resistant uterine cancer before potentially becoming a standard treatment option

Want to Apply This Research?

  • If this drug enters clinical trials, patients could track tumor markers (like IGF-1 levels) through regular blood tests every 2-4 weeks, recording results in a health app to visualize treatment response over time
  • While awaiting potential clinical availability, uterine cancer patients could use a health app to maintain a healthy weight through balanced nutrition and physical activity, as obesity appears to reduce treatment effectiveness. Users could log daily steps, meals, and weight to monitor progress toward a healthier BMI
  • Long-term monitoring would involve quarterly blood work to measure IGF-1 and other cancer markers, with results synced to a health app that tracks trends over months and years. Patients could also log any side effects, energy levels, and symptom changes to share with their oncology team during appointments

This research describes an experimental drug (CUDC-907) that has only been tested in laboratory cells and mice—it is NOT approved for use in human patients. If you have uterine or endometrial cancer, continue following your oncologist’s current treatment recommendations. Do not seek out or attempt to obtain this drug outside of an approved clinical trial. Always discuss any new treatment options, including experimental therapies, with your medical team before making any decisions. This summary is for educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice.