CSPC Pharmaceutical Group Ltd. announced that it has been granted approval by the National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) to conduct clinical trials in China with its oral small-molecule cyclin-dependent kinase 2/4/6 (CDK2/4/6) inhibitor, SYH-2043. In preclinical studies, SYH-2043 demonstrated good antitumor effects in multiple solid tumor types, especially in breast cancer with intrinsic resistance and acquired resistance against CDK4/6 inhibitors.
Researchers from Scorpion Therapeutics Inc. presented the discovery and preclinical evaluation of a novel mutant-selective, allosteric phosphoinositide 3-kinase α (PI3Kα) inhibitor, STX-478. In vitro, STX-478 showed mutant selectivity, as it selectively inhibited the viability of cell lines with mutations in the PIK3CA kinase domain and helical domain.
Trastuzumab deruxtecan (DS-8201a) is an antibody-drug conjugate used for the treatment of metastatic HER2+ breast cancer that is refractory to anti-HER2 therapy such as T-DM1, however, there is a lack of knowledge on acquired or innate resistance to the drug.
Cyclin-dependent kinase 4 (CDK4) and CDK6 inhibitors, in combination with letrozole or fulvestrant, have been approved for treating hormone receptor-positive breast cancer. Even though the therapy shows benefits in some patients, resistance develops in other treated patients.
Trastuzumab-based chemotherapy has demonstrated clinical benefits in the treatment of HER2+ breast cancer. There is a percentage of patients who do not respond to therapy and have a poorer prognosis than those who respond. To better understand the mechanisms behind trastuzumab resistance, researchers in China studied the role of transcription elongation factor A protein-like 9 (TCEAL9) in resistance to trastuzumab-based chemotherapy in HER+ breast cancer.
Inhibitors of cyclin-dependent kinase 4 (CDK4) and CDK6, such as palbociclib, have significantly improved progression-free survival of several breast cancer types, such as hormone receptor-positive, HER2-negative luminal breast cancers, with about 40% being unresponsive or refractory to therapy; the main cause of resistance is the selection of mutant clones in the target oncoprotein.
Transition ultrasound startup QT Imaging Inc. is poised to go public via a merger with Gigcapital5 Inc., a special purpose acquisition company (SPAC), in a deal that puts the equity value of the combination at $151 million. The combined company, QT Imaging Holdings Inc. will be traded on the NYSE under the ticker symbol QTI.
Previous research has shown that cytotoxic lymphocytes rely on gasdermin-mediated pyroptosis to kill tumor cells. Pyroptosis appears to be closely involved in anticancer immune response and has therefore emerged as a promising strategy for cancer treatment. In a recently published study, scientists at the University of Wisconsin-Madison aimed to leverage gasdermin-triggered pyroptosis for antitumor immunotherapy.
Integra Lifesciences Holding Corp. agreed to acquire Surgical Innovation Associates Inc. (SIA) in a deal that could be worth $140 million, the companies reported. Integra will pay $50 million on closing, expected by the end of the year. The company will pay an additional $90 million contingent on achievement of certain revenue and regulatory milestones through 2026.
