RNA Terminal Uridylyl-Transferases Are Druggable Vulnerabilities in AML, but are Dispensable for Normal Hematopoiesis

Current treatments often fail to eradicate AML; therefore, new therapeutic strategies are essential. Here, we reveal that RNA Terminal-Uridylyl-Transferase-Enzymes 4 and 7 (TUT4/7) are druggable therapeutic targets, whose genetic deletion suppresses AML growth, induces apoptosis and improves the survival in leukemic mouse models.

Notably, a pre-clinical TUT4/7 inhibitor promotes cell death in AML patient samples and synergizes with venetoclax. Mechanistically, TUT4/7 inactivation suppresses mevalonate pathway gene expression, compromising the cholesterol synthesis pathway. Current AML therapies often cause severe hematopoietic toxicity.