GPC3 is an oncofetal antigen highly expressed in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) but minimally expressed in adult normal tissues, except the placenta. Cytovia Therapeutics Inc. has presented preclinical data on CYT-303, a bispecific natural killer (NK) engager targeting NK cell-activating receptor NKp46 and GPC3 expressed in tumor cells.
Researchers from Immatics Biotechnologies GmbH have developed bispecific T-cell engaging receptor (TCER) molecules consisting of an affinity maturated TCR, a humanized T cell-recruiting antibody and an Fc-part conferring half-life extension and favorable stability characteristics.
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.
Proto-oncogene tyrosine-protein kinase receptor Ret is a widely expressed oncogene and chromosomal rearrangements involving RET lead to fusion genes and RET kinase activation, which occur in lung cancer in about in 2% of cases of non-small cell lung cancer.
Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co KG has presented data on the identification of several potent and selective tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) of HER2 that are highly active against its oncogenic exon 20 YVMA insertion mutant (HER2 YVMA), which is the most prevalent HER2 exon 20 mutation in non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC).
Previous research has revealed that some downstream hormones or effectors of the hypothalamic-pituitary (HP) unit, such as glucocorticoids, estrogen and progesterone, are elevated in patients with cancer. It was also shown that these hormones regulate the function of immune cells in the tumor microenvironment, suggesting that the neuroendocrine system and HP unit might modulate tumor immunity. In the current study, researchers from the University of Science and Technology of China aimed to investigate the role of HP unit in tumor immunity.
Researchers from Shaperon Inc. presented positive preclinical data for their clinical-stage candidate, sodium taurodeoxycholate (HY-209), demonstrating its therapeutic potential for atopic dermatitis.
Targeted therapy offers an opportunity for personalized medicine that's specific for a patient's tumor, but the hyper-focused treatment creates possibilities for cells to mutate and become resistant to the therapy.