Overexpression of focal adhesion kinase (FAK) has been observed in several types of cancer, including gastric, esophageal and colorectal cancers. Several FAK inhibitors have advanced to clinical evaluation for the treatment of cancer, however, none have entered the market.
Simcere Zaiming Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd. has received clinical trial approval from China’s National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) for the company’s antibody-drug conjugate (ADC), SIM-0686, for FGFR2b-positive, locally advanced or metastatic solid tumors.
Shenzhen Zhongge Biotechnology Co. Ltd. has described tyrosine-protein phosphatase non-receptor type 2 (PTPN2; TCPTP) inhibitors reported to be useful for the treatment of cancer, type 2 diabetes, obesity and metabolic diseases.
Erasmus Universitair Medisch Centrum Rotterdam has disclosed drug conjugates consisting of a 1,3,5-triazine core or a 1,3,5-triazinane core that is connected to two FAP-binding moieties via linkers and to a payload via another linker reported to be useful for the diagnosis and treatment of cancer.
Cutaneous melanoma nearly always arises on parts of the body that receive abundant sun but, rarely, it can arise on parts that do not, such as the palms of the hands or soles of the feet. These rare cases of acral and mucosal melanomas, which often feature mutations in the transmembrane tyrosine kinase KIT, do not respond to current melanoma therapies.
Scientists at Zai Lab (Shanghai) Co. Ltd. and Zai Lab (US) LLC have described poly(ADP-ribose) glycohydrolase (PARG) inhibitors reported to be useful for the treatment of cancer.
Shanghai Jemincare Pharmaceuticals Co. Ltd. has identified androgen receptor antagonists reported to be useful for the treatment of cancer, alopecia, acne, hirsutism, polycystic ovary syndrome, precocious puberty, spinal and bulbar muscle atrophy, and age-related macular degeneration.
Oxford University Innovations Ltd. has synthesized hypoxia-activated proteolysis targeting chimeras (hypoxia-activated PROTACs; HAP-TAC) comprising a hypoxia-activated moiety modified E3 ubiquitin ligase-binding moiety coupled to a protein targeting moiety through a linker reported to be useful for the treatment of cancer.