Cuendet Muriel

Prof. Muriel Cuendet

Pharmacognosy Group leader, CRTOH associate member

School of pharmaceutical sciences,Faculty of Science
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Research

A central theme for our studies is the discovery and characterization of anticancer agents from various natural and synthetic sources, mainly in multiple myeloma and lung cancer. For this we study the cellular pathways and cancer hallmarks, such as proliferation, angiogenesis, migration, and invasion using 2D as well as 3D co-culture spheroid models. We are also looking to optimize the molecules regarding their activity and selectivity in collaboration with chemists. We have identified a series of compounds with low nM activity in multiple myeloma as well as in solid tumor cancer cell lines for which we are currently identifying the targets and mechanisms of action. Moreover, resveratrol, a natural product found in grapes, showed promising results in preventing lung cancer in a mouse model (Monteillier et al, Sci. Rep. 2018) and translational studies are ongoing.

Selected publications

Ferro A., Graikioti D., Gezer E., Athanassopoulos C.M., Cuendet M. (2023) Entinostat-bortezomib hybrids against multiple myeloma. Molecules, 28, 1456.
Freitas Misakyan M.F., Wijeratne E.M.K., Issa M.E., Xu Y., Monteillier A., Gunatilaka A.A.L., Cuendet M. (2021) Structure-activity relationships of withanolides as anti-proliferative agents for multiple myeloma: comparison of activity in 2D models and a 3D co-culture model. Journal of Natural Products, 84, 2321-2335.
Monteillier A., Voisin A., Furrer P., Allémann E., Cuendet M. (2018) Intranasal administration of resveratrol successfully prevents lung cancer in A/J mice, Scientific Reports, 8, 14257.
Berndt S., Issa M.E., Carpentier G., Cuendet M. (2018) A bivalent role of genistein in sprouting angiogenesis, Planta Medica, 84, 1-10.
Issa M.E., Wijeratne E.M.K., Gunatilaka A.A.L., Cuendet M. (2017) Withanolide D exhibits similar cytostatic effect in drug-resistant and drug-sensitive multiple myeloma cells, Frontiers in Pharmacology, 8, 610.

Researchers

Short Bio

I earned my PhD in pharmaceutical sciences from the University of Lausanne with a thesis on the isolation of bioactive compounds. Then, I went for a postdoc at the Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Pharmacognosy, University of Illinois at Chicago, USA, and performed research on the cancer chemoprevention properties of natural products. My position as research assistant professor at the same institution as well as at Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, USA led me to study the molecular mechanisms of cancer chemopreventive compounds. In 2009, I obtained an associate professor position in the School of pharmaceutical sciences at the University of Geneva. Currently, I lead a research group of about 10 doctoral students and post-docs, focusing on the anticancer activity of natural and synthetic compounds. I participate in several research programs funded by National and European organizations, as well as the private sector. I currently serve as the associate editor of Pharmaceutical Biology and Frontiers in Ethnopharmacology, and is an advisory board member of the American Botanical Council.

SPECIFIC EXPERTISE

Multiple myeloma 3D co-culture spheroids
HDAC inhibition