The Secret of MIM: A Novel, MCL-1-Specific Small Molecule

Reactivating apoptosis is a major goal of cancer research, and MCL-1 has emerged as a primary pharmacological target. A screen for small molecules that could compete with stabilized helical peptides for MCL-1 binding yielded small molecule MIM1 (see the article by Cohen et al. in this issue of Chemistry & Biology). MIM1 selectively targets MCL-1, and can kill MCL-1-dependent leukemia cells.