It has been previously demonstrated that the WNT gene/protein family member WNT5A is down-regulated in leukemia, and low expression of this tumor suppressor has been correlated with disease progression and poor prognosis. In a recent study, researchers from Universidade Estadual de Campina aimed to assess the role of WNT5A in leukemia and evaluate the effects of Foxy-5, (Wntresearch AB) a WNT5A-mimicking compound, on the progression of this disease.
Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Oncológicas Carlos III (CNIO) has identified Pim kinase inhibitors reported to be useful for the treatment of cancer.
Although advances in chemotherapy have dramatically improved outcomes for children with leukemia, patients with high-risk and aggressive cancers require intense drug regimens that push safety limits. Researchers have formulated an antibody guidance system in mice that could empower chemotherapy against childhood leukemias while minimizing drug toxicity.
Quest Diagnostics Inc. evidently found what it was looking for, as it agreed to acquire Haystack Oncology Inc. in an all-cash deal valued at up to $450 million with $300 million at closing and $150 million contingent on meeting specific milestones. Haystack focuses on minimal residual disease (MRD) testing, which can detect residual or recurring cancer in its early stages and help guide therapy decisions using blood samples rather than biopsied tissue. The companies expect the transaction to close before the end of June.
The data are early and from only seven evaluable patients, but results from In8bio Inc.’s phase I study of gamma-delta T-cell therapy INB-100 in leukemia patients who have undergone haploidentical hematopoietic stem cell transplant, presented at the European Society for Blood and Marrow Transplantation meeting, were compelling enough to drive the company’s shares (NASDAQ:INAB) up 183% April 24.
Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy is a powerful approach for patients with hematologic malignancies, such as leukemia. Its broad use may be associated with life-threatening toxicities such as neurotoxicity and cytokine release syndrome (CRS).
Hunan Warrant Pharmaceutical Technology Development Co. Ltd. has disclosed data on the identification of a novel small-molecule inhibitor of Bruton tyrosine kinase (BTK), HND-01, which was identified by modifying metabolite 20 of dasatinib and is being developed for the potential treatment of cancer.
Northwest Agriculture & Forestry University has described thiazolecarboxamidine compounds acting as NADH-ubiquinone oxidoreductase (complex I) inhibitors reported to be useful for the treatment of cancer.