When Robert Kennedy Jr. announced the cancellation of 22 projects related to mRNA vaccines and the end of new investments in that technology, the U.S. Secretary of Health only mentioned their use against respiratory viruses, without referring to other applications. The vaccines whose safety and effectiveness Kennedy is questioning are based on the same molecular principles as cancer vaccines under development. “Continued investment in mRNA technology is essential to fully realize its potential in oncology and ensure that promising strategies like neoantigen-based vaccines reach clinical application.” Kazuhiro Kakimi, professor at the Department of Immunology at Kindai University Faculty of Medicine, told BioWorld.
Researchers from Xi’an Jiaotong University and Southern University of Science and Technology have conducted a comprehensive preclinical study to evaluate the efficacy and safety of a second-generation CAR T therapy targeting trophoblast cell-surface antigen 2 (TROP2) for the treatment of triple-negative breast cancer.
In August, a press release from HHS announced the cancellation of 22 vaccine research projects based on mRNA, the latest available technology aimed at developing therapies for viral infections, cancer, and genetic conditions. What happens to mRNA innovation when funding dries up? This series explores how reductions in funding could impact mRNA technology, affecting innovation, research and future therapies.
HCW Biologics Inc. has developed second-generation, tissue factor-targeting T-cell engagers (TCEs) to treat solid tumors, particularly pancreatic cancer and glioblastoma, constructed with its novel proprietary TRBC product discovery and development platform technology.
Immunoglobulin superfamily 11 (IgSF11) overexpression has been observed in several cancer types, including gastric cancer, hepatocellular carcinoma, colorectal cancers and gliomas, and linked to aggressive clinicopathological features. Therefore, IgSF11 has been proposed as a novel immune checkpoint ligand and a candidate for cancer immunotherapy. However, the potential role and clinical significance of IgSF11 in human breast cancer remain unexplored.
IMU Biosciences Ltd. is working to transform society’s understanding of the immune system. The company’s platform maps the immune system at molecular, cellular and system levels, to unlock new insights into immune-related health and diseases, paving the way for clinical applications that could improve patient outcomes.
Aptevo Therapeutics Inc. has unveiled two new trispecific candidates, APVO-452 for prostate cancer and APVO-451 for solid tumors. Powered by the company’s Adaptir-Flex platform, each trispecific immune cell engager biologic brings together tumor targeting, T-cell activation and immune costimulation in a single molecule.
Aligos Therapeutics Inc. has identified programmed cell death 1 (PDCD1; PD-1; CD279)/PD-1 ligand 1 (PD-L1; CD274) interaction inhibitors reported to be useful for the treatment of liver cancer (hepatocellular carcinoma) and hepatitis B (HBV).
Avenzo Therapeutics Inc. has obtained IND clearance by the FDA for AVZO-103 (formerly VAC-103), a nectin-4/TROP2 bispecific antibody-drug conjugate (ADC).
Tidewave Bio has completed an FDA Interact meeting that provided regulatory feedback as the company advances its lead program, TBC-1, toward IND-enabling studies. The company is developing a universal, off-the-shelf immunotherapy platform that is converted into a patient-specific precision medicine in real time using a tumor biopsy.
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