METTL1 inhibitor STM9005 slows cancer growth in preclinical models
Published in Biology, Drugs development & discovery, Journals.
Published October 30, 2026.
Researchers report a small molecule, STM9005, that selectively inhibits METTL1, an enzyme involved in adding an RNA modification called m7G to transfer RNAs. The Nature study was published October 28.
In cancer-cell experiments, inhibiting METTL1 reduced growth, altered differentiation and disrupted cell-cycle progression. Changes in selected transfer RNAs affected the production of proteins involved in cancer-associated pathways.
In mice, STM9005 slowed the growth of melanoma, pancreatic and lung tumors. It also prolonged survival in leukemia models, including one using patient-derived leukemia cells. Importantly, the authors observed growth inhibition rather than tumor regression in the experiments reported.
Normal-cell and mouse-tissue assessments found no measurable toxicity under the conditions tested. This does not establish safety in people or exclude effects from longer exposure.
The work provides preclinical evidence for targeting transfer-RNA methylation in cancer. It does not demonstrate patient benefit, an approved treatment or a cure; clinical testing would be needed to assess dosing, safety and efficacy.
Source: Yankova et al., Nature. Published October 28, 2026. DOI: 10.1038/s41586-026-11178-z.