Researchers from Lund University published data from a study that investigated the role of cartilage oligomeric matrix protein (COMP), an extracellular matrix glycoprotein associated with the aggressiveness of several types of solid tumors, in ovarian cancer.
IFM Due Inc. has described proteolysis targeting chimera (PROTAC) compounds comprising cereblon (CRBN) ligands covalently linked to a stimulator of interferon genes protein (STING; TMEM173)-targeting moiety through a linker.
Researchers from Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI) have created a new orthotopic preclinical model of glioblastoma (GBM), designed to recapitulate patient response to standard-of-care and targeted treatments.
Researchers from Adcentrx Therapeutics Inc. recently reported preclinical data for the Nectin-4-targeting antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) ADRX-0706, currently in phase I development for the treatment of solid tumors (NCT06036121).
Son of sevenless homolog 1 (SOS1) plays a crucial role in the conversion of KRAS from its GDP- to its GTP-bound form independently of KRAS mutational status, thus being a promising therapeutic target for all tumors driven by KRAS. Haihe Biopharma Co. Ltd. has presented a potent SOS1 inhibitor, HH-100937, that has been found effective as monotherapy or when combined with drugs targeting the KRAS/MAPK pathway.
The existence of two approved therapies, Lumakras (sotorasib, Amgen Inc.) and Karzati (adagrasib, Mirati Therapeutics Inc.), has been a triumphant success against KRAS, a protein that was once considered undruggable. KRAS is the most frequently mutated oncogene in solid tumors. KRAS driver mutations are found in about 30% of non-small-cell lung cancers (NSCLC), about half of colorectal cancers, and more than 90% of pancreatic cancers. Lumakras and Karzati both target the G12C mutation. Inhibitors that target other mutations, like G12D, are now making their way through preclinical and clinical development, while some companies are developing therapies that would target mutated KRAS more broadly, irrespective of the specific mutation that is activating the protein.
Newco Outrun Therapeutics Ltd. has raised $10 million in a seed round to develop small-molecule E3 ubiquitin ligase inhibitors that prevent programmed protein degradation. The lead program targeting an E3 ligase that tags a tumor suppressor protein for destruction will now advance to preclinical development.
Genescience Pharmaceuticals Co. Ltd. has described fused ring kinesin-like protein KIF18A inhibitors reported to be useful for the treatment of cancer.
Oncopia Therapeutics Inc. (dba Proteovant Therapeutics Inc.) has divulged protein cereblon (CRBN) ligands and its PROTACs reported to be useful for the treatment of cancer.