Cornell discovers SLK as c-Myc cancer co-regulator

A Cornell University-led research group, led by Ciaran Seath, published a study in Nature Chemical Biology on August 13, 2026, describing a photochemically driven proximity labeling technique called MicroMap (µMap) to map protein-protein interactions in cancer cells. By attaching chemical antennas to the c-Myc protein in prostate cell lines, the team identified SLK as a cancer-specific co-regulator that stabilizes c-Myc in the nucleus, particularly in androgen receptor-negative prostate cancer. This discovery could lead to targeted therapies for prostate, small-cell lung, and pancreatic cancers. The research was supported by the United States — National Institutes of Health and involved collaborators from Pfizer, the University of Florida, and the University of Colorado.