Therapies based on glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) are the most effective for treating obesity to date, but their efficacy and tolerability are limited by gastrointestinal side effects and compensatory reduction of energy expenditure.
NKG2A is an inhibitory immune checkpoint receptor expressed on cytotoxic T cells and natural killer (NK) cells. Its upregulation in the tumor microenvironment (TME) contributes to the functional exhaustion of T cells, enabling tumor cells to evade immune surveillance. Therapeutic targeting of NKG2A represents a promising strategy to restore T-cell activity and enhance antitumor immunity.
Synthetic mitochondrial protonophores uncouple ATP production, increasing tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle activity and fat oxidation to meet energy demands. This approach promotes weight loss and may also enhance glycemic control and lipid metabolism.
VAV1 is a guanine nucleotide exchange factor essential for T- and B-cell receptor signaling, with expression largely restricted to immune cells. Loss of VAV1, via CRISPR or genetic deletion, impairs effector functions in both T and B cells.
Vitsgen Therapeutics Inc. recently provided details on the preclinical characterization of a new prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA)-targeted radiotheranostic agent, [177Lu]PSMA-VG-01, for the treatment of metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer.
The efficacy of camptothecin-based topoisomerase I (Topo1) inhibitors, which are widely used as anticancer therapies, is often limited by resistance mechanisms, primarily involving mutations in the Topo1 enzyme and increased drug efflux mediated by ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporters, particularly ABCG2 (BCRP).
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) remains one of the most aggressive and treatment-resistant cancers, with limited therapeutic options and poor survival rates. The development of targeted therapies that disrupt multiple signaling pathways simultaneously could offer new opportunities to improve outcomes in this disease.
MET-097 is a glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor (GLP-1R) agonist developed at Metsera for treating overweight and obesity and is currently in phase II clinical trials.
Actinium Pharmaceuticals Inc. recently presented data on ATNM-400, a new antibody radioconjugate that uses actinium-225 (Ac-225) to target a non-prostate-specific member antigen (PSMA) protein that is frequently overexpressed in several tumor types, including prostate cancer.
T-cell activity is often suppressed by the immunosuppressive nature of the tumor microenvironment, contributing to the limited efficacy of many immunotherapeutic strategies. Treatment with peptides derived from human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) has been shown to effectively promote the expansion and activation of effector T cells, thereby enhancing antitumor immunity.