Cyclin-dependent kinases 4 and 6 (CDK4/6) are crucial cell cycle regulators and have become significant targets in breast cancer therapy. Current CDK4/6 inhibitors, while effective, often come with adverse effects and resistance issues.
Leukemic stem cells (LSCs) and stemness signatures contribute to minimal residual disease in patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML), which is associated with an increased risk of relapse. The presence of LSCs predicts treatment success and, therefore, eliminating LSCs has been proposed as a promising strategy to avoid relapses.
Tumor immune evasion mechanisms could be reversed by activating intracellular antiviral immune responses. It has been reported that the use of DNA methyltransferase (DNMT) inhibitors combined with poly(ADP ribose) polymerase (PARP) inhibitors activated stimulator of interferon genes (STING) signaling pathway in a process named pathogen mimicry response.
Melanoma is the most aggressive form of skin cancer and often spreads to the brain. Though immunotherapy has greatly improved the outlook for even metastatic melanoma patients, once melanoma brain metastases (MBM) develop, prognosis worsens, and available therapeutic options decline. Scientists at the Institute for Neurosciences (IN), a joint center of the Spanish National Research Council (CSIC) and the Miguel Hernández University of Elche (UMH) have found a way to tackle MBM through microglial reprogramming.
Kura Oncology Inc. and Kyowa Kirin Co. Ltd.’s selective oral menin inhibitor, ziftomenib, met the primary endpoints in the phase II registrational Komet-001 trial in patients with relapsed/refractory NPM1-mutant acute myeloid leukemia (AML), and Kura expects to submit its NDA to the U.S. FDA in the second quarter of 2025.
The European Commission on Feb. 5 cleared Shanghai Henlius Biotech Inc.’s serplulimab (HLX-02) under the brand name of Hetronifly as a first-line combination therapy with carboplatin and etoposide to treat extensive-stage small-cell lung cancer.
Eli Lilly and Co.’s end last year to its PI3Kα inhibitor program didn’t mean the pharma player was giving up on the target – far from it, as signaled by the potential $2.5 billion deal signed recently to take over Scorpion Therapeutics Inc. and gain rights to phase I/II-stage STX-478 for breast cancer and other solid tumors. The list of developers at work in the space includes Roche AG plus smaller entities such as Celcuity Inc., Menarini Group, Onkure Therapeutics Inc., Relay Therapeutics Inc. and Totus Medicines Inc.
Redx Pharma plc has divulged Rho kinase 1 (ROCK1) and 2 (ROCK2) inhibitors reported to be useful for the treatment of autoimmune disease, cancer, fibrosis, inflammatory and neurological disorders.
Shanghai Yidi Biotechnology Co. Ltd. has synthesized proteolysis targeting chimeras (PROTACs) comprising an E3 ubiquitin ligase coupled to an androgen receptor targeting moiety via a linker reported to be useful for the treatment of spinal and bulbar muscular atrophy, prostate and breast cancer.
Shenzhen Zhongge Biotechnology Co. Ltd. has disclosed tyrosine-protein phosphatase non-receptor type 2 (PTPN2; TCPTP) inhibitors reported to be useful for the treatment of cancer.