The use of CAR T-cell therapy has transformed outcomes for relapsed or refractory B-cell malignancies, but access to it remains extremely limited in some countries. Cartogene Therapeutics Pvt Ltd. aimed to address this need by in-licensing CGT-19, a CD19 CAR T construct from Vector Biomed Inc.

Previously, Chinese researchers used long-read RNA sequencing to identify a unique alternative splicing variant of CD44 transmembrane protein, named CD44E, which is highly expressed in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) tumors compared to adjacent nontumoral liver tissues. In a new study, the team analyzed the Genotype-Tissue Expression (GTEx) database and confirmed that CD44E expression is limited in essential normal organs, while CD44S standard isoform is broadly expressed on most cell types.

Multispecifics took center stage at this year’s ESMO TAT, emerging as one of the hottest trends in oncology research. Unlike traditional small-molecule drugs or monoclonal antibodies that typically target a single protein, multispecific compounds are engineered to harness multiple mechanisms of action within a single molecule. They orchestrate biology rather than just blocking it.

Overt Bio Inc. is advancing lead asset OVT-101 toward the clinic. The allogeneic, potential first-in-class, off-the-shelf γδ CAR T therapy targets claudin-6, which is present in the majority of ovarian cancers and several other solid tumors.

Sichuan Kelun-Biotech Biopharmaceutical Co. Ltd. has announced IND approval by China’s National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) for SKB-103 for the treatment of advanced solid tumors.

Medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) is a rare, often aggressive, neuroendocrine thyroid tumor with limited targeted treatment options, arising from calcitonin-producing C cells and sometimes associated with RET mutations. Researchers from the Mayo Clinic reported the potential of targeting DLL3 as a therapeutic strategy in MTC.