Embryonal tumor with multilayered rosettes (ETMR) is a rare but aggressive brain cancer that affects very young children, typically under the age of 3 years. Survival rates for ETMR patients remain low, with a median survival of just over a year and only about 20% of patients living beyond 5 years.

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is among the most lethal cancers and needs innovative therapeutic solutions. Patients with PDAC have a 5-year survival rate of about 12%. To address this need, researchers have developed a Drosophila PDAC model harboring the genetic alterations in the KRAS, CDKN2A, TP53 and SMAD4 genes (4-hit model), which accounts for the worst and most aggressive PDAC with lower survival rates.

Octant Inc. has received a $4.9 million grant from the Gates Foundation to support a new therapeutics program focused on human papillomavirus (HPV)-related cancers. The initiative will develop affordable, broad-spectrum, small-molecule antiviral drugs designed to disrupt the interaction between hundreds of variants of the HPV E6 protein and the tumor suppressor protein p53.

3Sbio Inc. reported interim phase II study results of its PD-1/VEGF bispecific antibody, SSGJ-707 – a “fabulous” asset, according to Pfizer Inc. CEO Albert Bourla, that landed in Pfizer’s cancer arsenal via a potential $6 billion deal in May, of which $1.2 billion was paid up front.

Loss-of-function variants in the ELP1 gene are the most prevalent predisposing genetic factors in childhood medulloblastoma, accounting for about 30% of sonic hedgehog medulloblastoma (SHH-3 subtype).