Investigating the relationship between IL-1 and inflammation in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), researchers unveiled mesenchyme homeobox 1 (MEOX1), an IL-1-dependent transcription factor that is known to regulate fibrosis in cardiac ischemia that is tied to IBD ulcers and positively expressed in ACKR1+ ECs.
At the recent 2025 congress of the European Crohn’s and Colitis Organisation, researchers from Helixon Therapeutics presented the discovery and preclinical characterization of HXN-1002, a bispecific antibody simultaneously targeting both α4β7 and TL1A that is being investigated as a potential treatment for inflammatory bowel disease.
Anterior gradient 2 (AGR2) is a protein located in the endoplasmic reticulum involved in protein folding and when stressed, it is secreted into the extracellular space and it attracts monocytes, activates fibroblasts and disrupts the epithelial integrity. The relationship between the expression of AGR2 in tissues from patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) was investigated, as well as the efficacy of an anti-AGR2 antibody in murine models of colon inflammation and fibrosis.
Researchers from MBX Biosciences Inc. presented preclinical data on MBX-4291, a prodrug developed as a long-acting GLP-1/GIP co-agonist through MBX’s proprietary Precision Endocrine Peptide (PEP) platform.
Thetis Pharmaceuticals LLC has presented preclinical data on their BLT1 receptor agonist TP-317 as an approach for treating inflammatory bowel disease. BLT1 activation promotes immune homeostasis and repair; oral therapy with TP-317 was investigated in two preclinical models of colitis and ileitis.
Signal transducer and activator of transcription 6 (STAT6) is a member of the STAT family involved in the regulation of immune response and inflammation. The development of SH2 domain inhibitors targeting STAT6 may help prevent and treat allergic diseases, asthma, atopic dermatitis or other Th2-driven immune conditions. Researchers from Recludix Pharma Inc. have presented the preclinical profiles of REX-8756 and REX-4671, two STAT6 inhibitors being developed in partnership with Sanofi SA.
Researchers from Tikkunlev Therapeutics Inc. and the University of Utah have presented preclinical data on TLT-101, a gene therapy consisting of an adeno-associated virus serotype 9 (AAV9) vector encoding cardiac bridging integrator 1 (cBIN1) designed for the treatment of heart failure.
Urachal carcinoma is a rare cancer which lacks a standard drug therapy, and for which knowledge regarding its immunohistochemical features remains unclear. The aim of a recently reported investigation was finding potential markers and targets for urachal carcinoma based on antibody-drug conjugate targets, as well as its association with prognosis.
The research on glioblastoma requires the development of new preclinical murine models. The GL261 cell line forms glioma-like tumors in a reliable manner when transplanted intracranially, but these tumors do not completely mimic human glioblastoma. This model responds well to immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs), but ICIs have shown limited efficacy in some clinical trials.
The scientific establishment has launched a fight back against the Trump administration and the slew of executive orders that threaten to dismantle research funding, with a warning that the next month could be critical for the future of U.S. science.
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