Researchers from EMD Serono Research and Development Institute Inc. hypothesized that modulation of two T-cell costimulatory pathways, such as CD28 and OX40, in one single molecule would be more efficient at controlling T-cell activation than modulating each pathway separately.
Potent siRNAs against B4GALT1 were designed in silico and screened in vitro (Huh7 cells, primary mouse, human hepatocytes) as well as in vivo (C57BL/6 mice) for the selection of a lead Galomic siRNA.
To address limitations with CAR T therapies targeting CD19, Allogene Therapeutics Inc. has developed ALLO-329, a CD19/CD70-targeting CAR therapy that is able to deplete activated alloreactive lymphocytes, while endowing dual targeting of CD19+ B cells and CD70+ T cells.
Rectify Pharmaceuticals Inc. has conducted preclinical testing on RTY-694, an oral dual-targeted positive functional modulator for use in the treatment of hepatobiliary disorders.
AGEN-1721 was designed as an Fc-enhanced bifunctional antibody to selectively target FAP and neutralize TGF-β via an optimized TGF-βR2 TRAP moiety fused to an engineered Fc region, with the aim of maximizing effector functions.
Researchers from SL Bigen Inc. and collaborators presented the preclinical characterization of BM-205, a novel entity of engineered MSCs designed to exert antitumor functions.
Investigators from the University of Turin have developed and characterized a new murine immunocompetent model of Usp18-knockout leiomyosarcoma (LMS). LMS is a rare malignant soft tissue cancer with limited therapeutic options when in advanced stages.
Compared to normal tissues, where the expression of ULBP2/5/6 protein is restricted, in non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC), head and neck cancer and squamous urothelial carcinoma, the levels of ULBP2/5/6 remain high even following relapse from standard-of-care therapies and is retained in metastatic lesions. Besides, these squamous cell cancers showed a high proportion of CD2+ tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes compared to other co-stimulatory receptors.
Investigators from Duke University hypothesized that hirudin-like protease inhibitors could be generated by linking exosite-binding aptamers with small-molecule active site inhibitors, thus generating more potent “EXACT” inhibitors.
NLRP3 inflammasome activation, pro-inflammatory cytokine production and pyroptosis are key features of inflammation that contribute to liver fibrosis progression, cirrhosis and end-stage liver failure. Pyroptosis, a lytic form of inflammatory-regulated cell death, is regulated by multiprotein complexes expressed in both parenchymal and nonparenchymal hepatic cells. Researchers from Genfit SA presented preclinical efficacy data on CLM-022, a synthetic pentacyclic triterpenoid derivative designed to target the NLRP3 complex.