MK-0752 kills lingering breast CSC

Experimental Drug Kills Breast Cancer Stem Cells In Early Trials by Julie Steenhuysen, Reuters, December 11, 2009 [Another link][FriendFeed entry]. First two paragraphs:

An experimental drug was effective at killing breast cancer stem cells -- a kind of master cancer cell that resists chemotherapy, U.S. researchers said on Friday.

Studies in animals and women with advanced breast cancer showed the experimental compound MK-0752, under development by Merck & Co Inc (MRK.N), was able to kill off cancer stem cells that linger in the breast after chemotherapy.

The NCI Drug Dictionary entry for MK-0752:

A synthetic small molecule with potential antineoplastic activity. MK0752 inhibits the Notch signaling pathway, which may result in induction of growth arrest and apoptosis in tumor cells in which the Notch signaling pathway is overactivated. The Notch signaling pathway plays an important role in cell-fate determination, cell survival, and cell proliferation. Check for active clinical trials or closed clinical trials using this agent. (NCI Thesaurus)