These last years, significant advances have been obtained in oncology leading to an increase of patients’ lifespan and improved life conditions. However, several cancers remain difficult to treat with mitigated results, and more and more resistances are observed. It is then vital to go on developing new therapies.

LIM kinase proteins are overproduced in many cancers and constitute interesting therapeutic targets. All over the world, small chemical molecules targeting their kinase activity have been developed these 15 last years, but failed to reach clinical trial stage. In collaboration with chemists from ICOA Institute, we developed a new category of innovative small molecules, called PROTACs, which aims to decrease or even to totally shut down the production of LIM kinase proteins. Our first results are really promising as 2 of the molecules synthesized by the chemists are very active: they totally shut down LIMK production and exhibit drastic effects on cells. We have to go on with the characterization of these molecules especially their cellular effect to open the path towards a new innovative efficient therapeutic strategy targeting the LIM kinase proteins for cancer treatment.