Toll-like receptors (TLRs) are crucial to trigger anticancer immune responses. Despite the promise of TLR agonists as potential anticancer agents, few have reached the clinics due to concerns related to cytokine release syndrome and limited efficacy.

The tumor microenvironment in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) significantly influences disease progression.

Guangdong Fapon Biopharma Inc. is developing its immunocytokine FP-008 for cancers that are refractory to anti-PD-1 therapies.

Innovent Biologics Inc. has entered into a collaboration and exclusive license agreement with F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd. to advance the development of IBI-3009, a novel DLL3-targeted antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) candidate.

Among the most profound results presented at the 2024 European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) Congress were the 10-year data from the Checkmate-067 and Keynote-006 trials of Opdivo and Keytruda as first-line agents in advanced or metastatic melanoma in which 10-year overall survival topped 40%. The success of checkpoint blockade, however, has not extended to all tumor types, but in 2024, molecular studies have led to advances in gene therapies and a multitude of approaches that have opened the door to hope.

Cstone Pharmaceuticals Co. Ltd. has filed a clinical trial application in Australia seeking to initiate a first-in-human study of CS-2009 for solid tumors. The company plans to initiate a multi-regional trial for CS-2009 in Australia early next year, followed by expansion into China and the U.S.

Radiopharm Theranostics Ltd. has been granted Belberry Human Research Ethics Committee (HREC) approval in Australia to initiate a first-in-human phase I therapeutic study of 177Lu-labeled RAD-202 (177Lu-RAD-202) for the treatment of HER2-expressing solid tumors, including breast and gastric cancers.

CSPC Pharmaceutical Group Ltd. has received clearance from China’s National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) to conduct clinical trials of antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) SYS-6005 and SYS-6043.