Work at Exelixis Inc. has led to the development of antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) comprising antibodies targeting interleukin-13 receptor subunit α2 (IL-13RA2, IL-13R-α2) covalently linked to a payload. They are described as potentially useful for the treatment of non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC).
Xilio Therapeutics Inc. has announced three wholly owned preclinical programs for masked T-cell engagers targeting prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA), claudin 18.2 (CLDN18.2) and six-transmembrane epithelial antigen of prostate 1 (STEAP1).
Within the immune system, interleukin-15 (IL-15) plays a relevant role by boosting the number of cytotoxic T cells and NK cells, the major drivers of anticancer immune response. Researchers from Sotio Biotech AS, MD Anderson and collaborators reported preclinical data on nanrilkefusp alfa (nanril; SOT-101), an IL-15 receptor βγ superagonist that stimulates both CD8+ T and NK cells in the tumor microenvironment.
Ellipses Pharma Ltd. has agreed to in-license global rights to GENA-104, a first-in-class immuno-oncology monoclonal antibody that targets CNTN4, from Genome & Co. Ltd. Targeting CNTN4 is a new approach that blocks the CNTN4-APP checkpoint interaction on T cells, promoting tumor cell killing, with potential use in cancers that respond poorly to conventional checkpoint inhibitors.
Bioray Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd. has announced clinical trial clearance in China by the National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) for BR-111 for injection for the treatment of ROR1-positive hematological malignancies and solid tumors.
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.
Oncolytic viruses are therapeutic agents used for in situ immunization in cancer immunotherapy. Unfortunately, its efficacy is particularly limited in solid tumors expressing stimulator of interferon genes (STING) and retinoic acid-inducible gene I (RIG-I).
Aligos Therapeutics Inc. has disclosed programmed cell death 1 (PDCD1; PD-1; CD279) and/or PD-1 ligand 1 (PD-L1; CD274) and/or PD-1/PD-L1 interaction inhibitors reported to be useful for the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma and hepatitis B.