2. Academic Validation
  3. PROTAC-Mediated Targeted Degradation of MDM2 Induces Tumor-Suppressive Signaling in Osteosarcoma Cells

PROTAC-Mediated Targeted Degradation of MDM2 Induces Tumor-Suppressive Signaling in Osteosarcoma Cells

  • Cells. 2026 Mar 5;15(5):473. doi: 10.3390/cells15050473.
Yeongji Kim 1,  Jin-Woo Kim 2,  Junwon Choi 3,  Jinhyeong Kim 3,  Soyeon Park 3,  Wonji Choi 3,  Hyunju An 1,  Jinman Kim 4,  Minsup Kim 5,  Sujin Choi 1,  Jinsu Lim 1,  Hyun Il Lee 6,  Soonchul Lee 1 7 8
Affiliations

Affiliations

  • 1 Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, CHA Bundang Medical Center, School of Medicine, CHA University, 335 Pangyo-ro, Bundang-gu, Seongnam-si 13488, Republic of Korea.
  • 2 Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Nowon Eulji Medical Center, Eulji University, Seoul 01830, Republic of Korea.
  • 3 Department of Molecular Science and Technology, Ajou University, Suwon 16499, Republic of Korea.
  • 4 Department of Oral Microbiology and Immunology, School of Dentistry and Dental Research Institute, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea.
  • 5 TARS Scientific, Seoul 01717, Republic of Korea.
  • 6 Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Ilsan Paik Hospital, Inje University, 170, Juhwa-ro, Ilsangeo-gu, Goyang-si 10380, Republic of Korea.
  • 7 SL Bio, Inc., 43, Beolmal-ro 30beon-gil, Bundang-gu, Seongnam-si 13503, Republic of Korea.
  • 8 Advanced College of Bio-Convergence Engineering, Ajou University, Suwon 16499, Republic of Korea.
PMID: 41827906 DOI: 10.3390/cells15050473
Abstract

Osteosarcoma, the most common malignant bone tumor in young individuals, often exhibits poor outcomes due to MDM2-mediated suppression of the p53 pathway. Whereas conventional MDM2 inhibitors block the p53-MDM2 interaction but frequently induce compensatory MDM2 upregulation, proteolysis-targeting chimeras (PROTACs) directly degrade MDM2 and bypass this limitation. Here, we investigated the Anticancer efficacy of two MDM2-targeting PROTAC compounds, CL0144 and CL0174, in osteosarcoma models. In Saos-2 and U2OS cells, both PROTACs efficiently induced MDM2 degradation, leading to activation of p53 or p73 signaling, increased Reactive Oxygen Species production, apoptotic cell death, and marked reductions in viability. PROTAC treatment also significantly suppressed proliferation, colony formation, sphere formation, migration, and invasion. In vivo, xenograft assays demonstrated robust tumor growth inhibition following PROTAC administration. Collectively, these findings demonstrate that MDM2-targeting PROTACs exert strong antitumor effects by degrading MDM2 and disrupting downstream oncogenic pathways, supporting their potential as a promising therapeutic strategy for osteosarcoma.

Keywords

MDM2 degradation; PROTAC; cancer therapy; osteosarcoma; p53 pathway.

Figures
Products