The TNF receptor superfamily member herpesvirus entry mediator (HVEM or TNFRSF14), first identified as a receptor for viral infection, acts as a molecular switch, either activating or inhibiting the immune response depending on the interacting ligand. Previous work found that HVEM binding to B- and T-lymphocyte attenuator (BTLA) initiates an inhibitory signal to effector T cells and that targeting the HVEM-BTLA complex with an antibody reduced tumor growth in a humanized mouse model.
Researchers from Vicero Inc. have developed a Vincobody platform, which allows for design of novel proprietary VHH antibody fragments that possess the efficacy of dual checkpoint blockade while mitigating the toxicity limitations of current monoclonal antibody therapies.
Esophageal cancer, particularly esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC), is one of the most prevalent digestive malignancies, with a 5-year survival rate of only 20%. Although some cancer immunotherapies based on immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have shown promise for ESCC, only a minority of patients actually benefit from ICI therapy.
Peptide-based vaccines deliver tumor-specific antigens to dendritic cells (DCs), triggering tumor-targeted T-cell responses. A peptide-peptide conjugate technology previously developed by researchers from Uppsala University and collaborators enhances this process by using multiple tetanus toxin-derived B-cell epitopes (MTTEs) to facilitate in vivo antigen delivery and DC activation.
CSPC Pharmaceutical Group Ltd. has obtained clearance from China’s National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) to conduct clinical trials with JMT-108 for advanced malignant tumors.
Bioheng Therapeutics US LLC has obtained IND approval from the FDA for CTD-402, a CD7-targeted universal CAR T-cell therapy, for the treatment of pediatric and adult patients with relapsed or refractory T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia/lymphoma.
Tharimmune Inc. has applied its Epiclick multispecific antibody engineering platform to expand its pipeline. With Epiclick, the company can combine distinct antibody binding domains, including those derived from previously inaccessible and undruggable epitopes, in either small-format or full-length configurations to target hard-to-reach epitopes.
Combining the direct cytotoxic effects of antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) with the immune-enhancing properties of immunostimulators represents a new therapeutic strategy that could not only eradicate tumor cells, but also reprogram the tumor microenvironment, leading to durable and systemic anticancer immunity. Using this new approach, researchers from Bioray Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd. developed and characterized of a new dual drug ADC (BiADC), named BR-113, designed to target human (h)Trop2.
In8bio Inc. has unveiled INB-600, its next-generation γδ T-cell-based T-cell engager (TCE) platform designed to address one of the shortcomings of current existing γδ TCEs, specifically insufficient numbers of γδ T cell effector cells to deliver clinical impact. The platform could have applications across oncology as well as autoimmune diseases.
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