Live from Open Targets Platform, fetched 2026-11-11 15:33 UTC. Every row links to its source record.

RELA RELA proto-oncogene, NF-kB subunit

ENSG00000173039 · protein coding · Open Targets profile

NF-kappa-B is a pleiotropic transcription factor present in almost all cell types and is the endpoint of a series of signal transduction events that are initiated by a vast array of stimuli related to many biological processes such as inflammation, immunity, differentiation, cell growth, tumorigenesis and apoptosis. NF-kappa-B is a homo- or heterodimeric complex formed by the Rel-like domain- containing proteins RELA/p65, RELB, NFKB1/p105, NFKB1/p50, REL and NFKB2/p52. The heterodimeric RELA-NFKB1 complex appears to be most abundant one. The dimers bind at kappa-B sites in the DNA of their target genes and the individual dimers have distinct preferences for different kappa-B sites that they can bind with distinguishable affinity and specificity. Different dimer combinations act as transcriptional activators or repressors, respectively. The NF-kappa-B heterodimeric RELA-NFKB1 and RELA-REL complexes, for instance, function as transcriptional activators. NF-kappa-B is controlled by various mechanisms of post-translational modification and subcellular compartmentalization as well as by interactions with other cofactors or corepressors. NF-kappa-B complexes are held in the cytoplasm in an inactive state complexed with members of the NF-kappa-B inhibitor (I- kappa-B) family. In a conventional activation pathway, I-kappa-B is phosphorylated by I-kappa-B kinases (IKKs) in response to different activators, subsequently degraded thus liberating the active NF-kappa-B complex which translocates to the nucleus. The inhibitory effect of I- kappa-B on NF-kappa-B through retention in the cytoplasm is exerted primarily through the interaction with RELA. RELA shows a weak DNA- binding site which could contribute directly to DNA binding in the NF- kappa-B complex. Besides its activity as a direct transcriptional activator, it is also able to modulate promoters accessibility to transcription factors and thereby indirectly regulate gene expression. Associates with chromatin at the NF-kappa-B promoter region via association with DDX1. Essential for cytokine gene expression in T- cells (PubMed:15790681). The NF-kappa-B homodimeric RELA-RELA complex appears to be involved in invasin-mediated activation of IL-8 expression. Key transcription factor regulating the IFN response during SARS-CoV-2 infection (PubMed:33440148). {ECO:0000269|PubMed:10928981, ECO:0000269|PubMed:12748188, ECO:0000269|PubMed:15790681, ECO:0000269|PubMed:17000776, ECO:0000269|PubMed:17620405, ECO:0000269|PubMed:19058135, ECO:0000269|PubMed:19103749, ECO:0000269|PubMed:20547752, ECO:0000269|PubMed:33440148, ECO:0000269|PubMed:41747053}.

In 1 of 15 cancers, the evidence for RELA comes mainly from mutations found in tumours

Each row is a cancer, strongest overall evidence first. The two dots show how strong the inherited (germline) and tumour-mutation (somatic) evidence is; the line between them is the gap.

Inherited (germline) variantsMutations in tumours (somatic)

Scores run from 0 (no evidence) to 1 (strongest). A missing dot at 0 means Open Targets holds no evidence of that kind. Source: Open Targets Platform, fetched live.

Tractability

Small molecule: Advanced Clinical, Structure with Ligand, High-Quality Ligand, Druggable Family
PROTAC: UniProt Ubiquitination, Database Ubiquitination, Half-life Data, Small Molecule Binder

gnomAD loss of function constraint: o/e 0.2468400001525879 (upper bound 0.3858799934387207). Low values mean loss of function is poorly tolerated, a safety flag for inhibition.

Who runs trials of these drugs

No named investigators on registry trials of RELA's approved or late-stage drugs in the last three years.

1 trials of drugs against RELA were stopped early

Terminated, withdrawn and suspended interventional trials of edasalonexent, newest update first, live from ClinicalTrials.gov. Each reason is quoted exactly as the registry gives it; we do not sort reasons into safety, efficacy or business. Dates are the last registry update. Showing the 1 most recent of 1.

Ph3NCT03917719 brief why it stopped
terminated · 2020-11-23 · Catabasis Pharmaceuticals · Edasalonexent
“The Phase 3 PolarisDMD trial did not meet the primary endpoint. As a result, activities related to the development of edasalonexent have stopped including the CAT-1004-302 Open-Label Study of Edasalonexent in Boys With Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy”

Paediatric incentives and obligations for RELA's drugs

For edasalonexent: what EMA and FDA publish about paediatric plans, orphan status and pediatric approvals, and how many registered studies take children. Each line is a yes, no or not published fact from the record linked under it; none of it is a forecast.

FDA pediatric target list: yes · RELA is on the list. Membership alone neither requires nor waives a pediatric study.
Rule: Target is on FDA's Pediatric Molecular Target List (relevant targets). Source: FDA Pediatric Molecular Target List (Listed as February 2026 on the FDA Pediatric Oncology page; the file served is 9.7.22_the_relevant_molecular_target_list.xlsx, whose Summary of Changes sheet is headed 'SEPTEMBER 2022 UPDATE' (footnote date 2022-09-01)), 2026-11-11
EU paediatric investigation plan: no · No EMA paediatric investigation plan decision names edasalonexent
Rule: An EMA PIP decision (agreement, modification or waiver) lists the drug as its active substance, exact name. Source: EMA data download (dated snapshot), 2026-11-11
EU orphan designation: yes · EU/3/15/1560 withdrawn 9 Oct 2015: Treatment of Duchenne muscular dystrophy
Rule: An EU orphan designation lists the drug as its active substance (exact name) or belongs to a medicine that does; withdrawn and expired designations are listed with their status. Source: EMA EU/3/15/1560, 2026-11-11
Authorised in the EU: no · EMA lists no centrally authorised medicine of edasalonexent
Rule: An EMA medicine record lists the drug as its active substance or INN, exact name; national-only authorisations are not in this file. Source: EMA data download (dated snapshot), 2026-11-11
FDA orphan designation: not published · FDA's orphan designation database turns away automated requests, so this app does not read it; search it by hand at the link
Rule: Would be: an FDA orphan designation names the drug. Source: FDA orphan designations search
FDA pediatric oncology approval: no · FDA's table lists no pediatric approval of edasalonexent
Rule: FDA's Pediatric Oncology Drug Approvals table names the drug. Source: FDA Pediatric Oncology Drug Approvals (content current as of 2026-03-03), 2026-11-11
Registered studies open to children: yes · 3 interventional studies of edasalonexent include patients under 18; 0 are recruiting, not yet recruiting or active
Rule: The registry's age group includes Child (birth to 17 years), which also counts studies that set no minimum age. Source: ClinicalTrials.gov search, 2026-11-11

Rare pediatric disease voucher. FDA, content current as of 29 Apr 2026: “As of February 3, 2026, enactment of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2026, the rare pediatric disease PRV program will sunset after September 30, 2029. FDA may not award any PRVs under this program after September 30, 2029.” Voucher sale prices are not shown here; they appear only as company-reported news. FDA: Rare Pediatric Disease Designation and Priority Review Voucher Programs

All 1 drugs and clinical candidates as a table

Each drug, stage and indication links to its Open Targets record, where the trials and approvals behind it are listed. Salt forms (for example a mesylate) are listed as Open Targets records them, as separate entries.

Drug	Type	Highest stage	Indications	Source records
EDASALONEXENT	Small molecule	phase 3	Duchenne muscular dystrophy, type 2 diabetes mellitus	Open Targets · ChEMBL