Two molecules that affected the cell cycle only of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) cells could be used as a clinical strategy against this pathology. Scientists at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center and Harvard University have discovered that DEG-35 and DEG-77 arrested the cell cycle and promoted cell differentiation and apoptosis in these cells.

Researchers from Onxeo SA presented preclinical data for OX-425, a first-in-class oligodeoxynucleotide that operates as a poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase 1 (PARP-1) decoy, and which is being developed as anticancer agent.

Molecular Templates Inc. has received IND clearance from the FDA for its novel MT-8421 engineered toxin bodies (ETB) program targeting cytotoxic T-lymphocyte protein 4 (CTLA-4) in patients with relapsed/refractory solid tumors previously exposed to checkpoint inhibitors. MT-8421 is designed to eliminate CTLA-4-expressing regulatory T cells (Tregs) in the tumor microenvironment (TME) through a direct cell-kill mechanism independent of the effector cell presence that antibodies rely upon while not affecting Tregs in the periphery.

Previous studies have identified a promising target and potential biomarker for diagnosing and treating gastrointestinal and esophageal cancers: claudin18.2 (CLDN18.2), a tight junction protein overexpressed in these and other solid tumors.

Researchers from Medical University Vienna presented data from a study that aimed to identify possible synergism between the novel son of sevenless (SOS) inhibitor BAY-293 and B-Raf or/and MEK1/2 inhibitors as a potential therapeutic strategy for the treatment of melanoma.

Estrella Biopharma Inc. has received FDA clearance of its IND application for lead product candidate EB-103, a T-cell therapy targeting CD19, a protein expressed on the surface of almost all B-cell leukemias and lymphomas.