Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are often responsible for relapses, and one of their survival mechanisms is autophagy. However, despite the potential of autophagy inhibitors to eliminate CSCs, their effects on healthy cells hinder their clinical advancement.

Photopharmacology seeks to control the activity of bioactive molecules with external light, localizing drug activity in space and time. We believe that photosensitive molecules targeting CSCs could effectively eliminate them without causing side effects, increasing the efficacy and safety of anti-CSC drugs.

In this project, funded by the Spanish Association Against Cancer (AECC) within Ideas Semilla, we are (1) establishing the first in vivo proof of concept on the use of light-activatable irreversible autophagy inhibitors, and (2) developing the first ULK1 inhibitors that reversibly block autophagy only under illumination.