A study published on June 2, 2026, identified a previously unknown binding site in the PKMYT1 kinase, while a separate study honored at the 2026 International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine meeting investigated the use of advanced MRI to predict kidney disease risk after nephrectomy. Both studies represent separate lines of inquiry into cancer-related medical research.
Hidden Binding Site Identified in PKMYT1 Kinase
Key Findings
-
A study published in the Journal of the American Chemical Society (DOI: 10.1021/jacs.6c05178) on June 2, 2026, reported the discovery of a binding site in the kinase PKMYT1, a protein involved in cell growth and division that is a target for cancer drug development.
-
The binding site is distinct from the conventional ATP-binding site. It was not predicted by current AI tools, including AlphaFold2, AlphaFold3, and Boltz-2.
-
The discovery was made through a combination of AI predictions and experimental methods, including X-ray crystallography, biochemical testing, and cellular studies.
-
A small chemical modification in a molecule caused it to switch binding from the hidden site to the ATP-binding site, indicating protein flexibility.
"The newly identified site is different from the ATP-binding site common to many kinases, which researchers stated could potentially lead to more selective drug targets."
Implications
- The findings indicate that current AI tools for drug discovery failed to predict this specific protein state, highlighting a critical gap in computational modeling.
- The research provides starting compounds for further drug development.
Next Steps: The research team plans to develop more potent compounds targeting the new site, investigate similar hidden pockets in other cancer-related kinases, and improve computational methods to predict such protein shapes.
Authors: The study was authored by Noah B. Herrington, Susmita Khamrui, Yihan Zhao, Carisse Lansiquot, Ruoxi Wu, Gaurav Pandey, Michael B. Lazarus, and Avner Schlessinger.
MRI Study Evaluated for Predicting Post-Nephrectomy Kidney Disease
Award Announcement
Mira Liu, PhD, a postdoctoral fellow at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, received the W.S. Moore Award for Original Clinical Research at the 2026 International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine & International Society for MR Radiographers & Technologists Annual Meeting & Exhibition. The award recognizes early-career investigators for original research in clinical magnetic resonance (MR).
Study Overview
The award honors Dr. Liu's article, "Multiparametric MRI Predicting Renal Function Deterioration & Chronic Kidney Disease Development in Patients Undergoing Nephrectomy for Renal Masses: A Pilot Study," published in the Journal of Magnetic Resonance Imaging.
The study investigated whether advanced multiparametric MRI performed before kidney tumor surgery could identify patients at risk for kidney function decline and chronic kidney disease after nephrectomy.
Key Findings
- In a pilot study of 43 patients, specialized research MRI scans were performed before surgery alongside standard clinical imaging.
- Advanced MRI techniques evaluated kidney blood flow, oxygen utilization, inflammation, filtration, and microscopic tissue characteristics.
- MRI measurements taken before surgery were associated with the prediction of both kidney function decline and development of chronic kidney disease one year after surgery.
- Combining MRI-derived biomarkers with standard clinical assessments and blood-test results improved identification of high-risk patients.
- Both poorly functioning kidneys and kidneys appearing to work exceptionally hard before surgery were associated with greater risk of future kidney disease.
Dr. Liu stated that the study aimed to investigate whether information captured through advanced MRI could provide a more complete picture of kidney health before surgery and help support more personalized treatment decisions.
Statements
Octavia Bane, PhD, Assistant Professor at Icahn School of Medicine and co-author/co-mentor, stated that the research demonstrates the potential of quantitative imaging to support precision medicine, and that combining advanced MRI with clinical information could help personalize treatment plans.
Implications
- The investigators noted that the study does not suggest patients should avoid surgery, but rather aims to help identify patients who may benefit from additional kidney-protective strategies.
- The research team plans to validate findings in larger populations and develop a clinical-imaging risk score.
- Related research published in the Journal for ImmunoTherapy of Cancer indicated that similar presurgical MRI measurements correlated with features of tumor biology and the tumor immune environment.
Funding: The research was supported by the National Institutes of Health (award TL1 TR004420) and a Bayer Investigator Initiated Research Grant.