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.
Our immune cells are not just “defenders” against deadly viruses and pathogens but also a great balancer for tissue homeostasis. For neurological disorders, understanding the neuro-immune axis could be key to treating previously untreatable conditions such as autism spectrum disorder, according to Jun R. Huh, professor of immunology at Harvard Medical School.
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.
Seismic Therapeutic Inc.'s S-1117 was designed as a pan-IgG protease fused to an effector function silent human IgG1 Fc domain. The candidate, being developed for the treatment of autoantibody-mediated diseases, was engineered for chronic subcutaneous administration using a proprietary machine learning-enabled platform, with the aim of reducing immunogenicity while maintaining potency.
Researchers from Astrazeneca plc presented the discovery and preclinical characterization of AZD-9793, a novel CD8-guided T-cell engager (TCE) being developed for the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).