Turnstone Biologics Corp. has received IND clearance from the FDA for the company's lead selected tumor-infiltrating lymphocyte (TIL) therapy program, TIDAL-01.
The simultaneous mapping of DNA mutations and epigenetic changes as colorectal cancer evolves has for the first time tracked their relative contributions and shown epigenetic control of gene transcription is far more important than somatic mutations in enabling tumors to adapt and develop a survival advantage over other cells. In an analysis of 1,373 samples from 30 colorectal cancer samples, epigenetic changes were highly common in cells that had become cancerous and occurred around known cancer driver mutations. These epigenetic alterations were heritable, were passed on at each cell division, and in addition to a direct contribution to the evolution of tumors also influenced how cancer cells accumulated DNA mutations. The modifications to gene regulation conferred survival advantages that meant cancer cells grew faster than normal counterparts. While it is not news that epigenetic changes are involved in tumor development, previously it was not clear what the relative contribution was, and that their effect could be independent of DNA mutations.
Carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) is an antigen that is overexpressed in colorectal cancers and is considered a suitable target for its treatment. Uppsala University discussed research in the development of the lutetium-177-radiolabeled anti-CEA hT84.66-M5A monoclonal antibody (MAb) 177Lu-DOTA-M5A for the treatment of colorectal cancers and its combination studies with the HSP90 inhibitor onalespib.
Researchers at the University of Queensland have been awarded funding to advance work across mRNA research, cancer vaccines and single-cell genomic technologies.
Biomea Fusion Inc. has received IND clearance from the FDA to begin a phase I/Ib trial of BMF-219, a selective, covalent menin inhibitor in patients with unresectable, locally advanced, or metastatic non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC), colorectal cancer, or pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma with an activating KRAS mutation.
A number of devices, imaging systems and in vitro diagnostics have become available for colorectal cancer (CRC) screening over the years, several of which are of very recent origin, a marker of sustained interest and investment in these products. The problem for industry is that a new randomized trial conducted in Europe suggests that the impact of CRC screening on all-cause mortality is zero compared to no screening, a finding that could prompt policymakers to revisit their stances on screening to the detriment of sales of these devices and diagnostics.
Lyell Immunopharma Inc. has received FDA clearance for its IND application to initiate a phase I trial for LYL-845, an investigational tumor-infiltrating lymphocyte (TIL) therapy enhanced with Lyell's Epi-R technology for patients with relapsed and/or refractory metastatic or locally advanced melanoma and other select solid tumors.
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is expected to increase steadily through the decade to reach more than 2.2 million cases and 1.1 million deaths by 2030 as two concurrent trends tick up—an aging population, that typically has higher rates of the disease, and an alarming increase in cases in younger people. Iterative Scopes Inc. hopes to help gastroenterologists find precancerous lesions before they progress with its Skout device, which received U.S. FDA 510(k) clearance this week.
Arginases play key roles in metabolic pathways. Arginase 1 (ARG1) is expressed by myeloid cells in the tumor microenvironment and suppresses the functioning of T and NK cells.
