The traps that neutrophils develop against microorganisms also hold T cells and prevent the success of immunotherapy in pancreatic cancer. To free the immune system from itself, scientists at the Istituto Oncologico Veneto in Italy made a key that unlocked this sticky dungeon from an antibody against arginase-1 (ARG1), an enzyme also present in the trap.
A new experimental drug, QN-302, has shown high antiproliferative activity in pancreatic cancer cells and antitumor activity in experimental pancreatic cancer models.
Sisaf Ltd. has entered into a collaboration with the University of Leipzig to develop Bio-Courier targeted micro interfering RNAs (miRNA) for the treatment of cancer, with an initial focus on pancreatic cancer.
Antibody specialist Jounce Therapeutics Inc. and Redx Pharma plc are to merge in an all-share transaction with a value of $425 million, in a deal that will see Redx’s small-molecule cancer and fibrosis drugs absorbing the lion’s share of the combined cash and its shareholders owning 63% of the combined company.
Pancreatic cancer still remains a highly lethal disease, with a 5-year survival rate of <10%. It is characterized by strong stromal activation leading to pro-tumorigenic extracellular matrix deposition. Recent findings in preclinical models have unveiled that targeting desmoplasia may improve chemotherapy efficacy and impede metastasis in pancreatic cancer.
Lift Biosciences Ltd. and Minaris Regenerative Medicine GmbH have entered into a development and manufacturing partnership for N-Lift, Lift's first-in-class neutrophil progenitor-based leukocyte infusion therapy for the treatment of various cancer indications, including pancreatic cancer, lung cancer and other solid tumors.
