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.
Antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) have demonstrated their effectiveness in a variety of solid tumors such as breast, lung, ovarian or bladder cancer and in hematological cancers too. However, in some cancer types, like pancreatic cancer, treatment with ADCs needs enhancement through more appropriate targets and payloads.
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.
Ypsilon Therapeutics has been awarded $2.7 million in seed funding from Cancer Prevention & Research Institute of Texas (CPRIT). The award will allow Ypsilon to advance its lead therapeutic program, a next-generation T-cell receptor mimic (TCRm) antibody, to drug candidate nomination, with the aim of developing treatments for patients with solid tumors, such as triple-negative breast cancer, non-small-cell lung cancer and gastric cancer.
It’s one step backward in order to take two steps forward at Zentalis Pharmaceuticals Inc. In a restructuring to help fund the second part of its potentially registration-enabling Denali study, Zentalis has laid off 40% of its workforce. The clinical trial of azenosertib, Zentalis’ lead candidate and a WEE1 kinase inhibitor, is for treating advanced solid tumors and hematologic malignancies. The therapy is designed to make cancer cells self-destruct.
Seed Therapeutics Inc.’s ST-01156 has been awarded orphan drug designation for the treatment of Ewing sarcoma as well as rare pediatric disease designation by the FDA.
Swarm Oncology Ltd. has emerged from stealth with a focus on advancing novel T-cell therapies to achieve long-term remission in patients with advanced solid cancers.
Ymmunobio AG, in collaboration with the Paul Scherrer Institute, has received an Innosuisse grant to develop innovative radioactive loaded antibodies for the treatment and diagnosis of solid tumors based on Ymmunobio’s proprietary YB-800.
Cancer immunotherapy has represented a significant advancement in cancer treatment; however, many patients experience relapse or develop resistance to this treatment. Bispecific antibodies that selectively engage T-cell costimulatory molecules have emerged as a novel therapeutic strategy to overcome the limitations of immunotherapy.
Axcynsis Therapeutics Pte Ltd. has gained IND clearance from the FDA for AT03-65 for the treatment of patients with CLDN6-positive solid tumors. Axcynsis is planning to initiate a phase I trial in the U.S. during the current quarter in patients with advanced CLDN6-positive solid tumors.
