Nuclear receptor binding SET domain proteins (NSDs) catalyze the mono-or dimethylation of histone 3 lysine 36 (H3K36me1 and H3K36me2), using S-adenosyl-L-methionine (SAM) as a methyl donor. As a key member of the NSD family of proteins, NSD2 plays an important role in the pathogenesis and progression of various diseases such as cancers, inflammations, and infectious diseases, serving as a promising drug target. Developing potent and specific NSD2 inhibitors may provide potential novel therapeutics. Several NSD2 inhibitors and degraders have been discovered while remaining in the early stage of drug development. Excitingly, KTX-1001, a selective NSD2 inhibitor, has entered clinical trials. In this Perspective, the structures and functions of NSD2, its roles in various human diseases, and the recent advances in drug discovery strategies targeting NSD2 have been summarized. The challenges, opportunities, and future directions for developing NSD2 inhibitors and degraders are also discussed.
■ SIGNIFICANCE• Small-molecule NSD2 inhibitors and degraders show therapeutic promise for NSD2-driven and -associated diseases, especially cancers. • The recent advances in drug discovery efforts targeting NSD2 are systematically summarized. • Current challenges and opportunities as well as future directions for developing NSD2 inhibitors and degraders are discussed from the medicinal chemistry perspective. • This Perspective provides insights into future drug discovery strategies targeting NSD2.