B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL), characterized by the clonal expansion of immature lymphoblastic cells, is traditionally treated with lengthy chemotherapy followed by allogeneic stem cell transplantation (aSCT) for high-risk patients. However, patients with relapsed or refractory B-ALL still present a dismal prognosis.

Great Novel Therapeutics Biotech & Medicals Corp.’s epigenetic immunoactivator, GNTbm-38, has received IND clearance from the FDA, enabling initiation of a phase I trial in the U.S. 

Calidi Biotherapeutics Inc. recently presented data regarding CLD-401 as an immunotherapeutic approach developed using the Redtail gene therapy platform. This platform uses a tumor-specific, replicating enveloped vaccinia virus that expresses a chimeric form of CD55 to allow complement and neutralizing antibody resistance, as well as systemic administration.

Researchers from Sutro Biopharma Inc. presented data on dual-payload antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) engineered to overcome drug resistance, demonstrating enhanced cytotoxicity and potential efficacy in resistant cancer models.

Mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase kinase kinase 1 (HPK1) is a serine/threonine protein kinase that is expressed in the hematopoietic compartment, exerting regulatory functions in myeloid and innate immune cells. It has been associated with decreased T-cell activation and proliferation.

Autoantibodies and B cells are drivers of progressive autoimmune diseases, but targeting B cells or plasma cells alone is not sufficient to address them. Earendil Labs has presented data on HXN-1031, a novel T-cell engager targeting both CD19 and B-cell maturation protein (BCMA).

CAR T cells have been groundbreaking for the treatment of B-cell cancers. But 8 years after Kymriah (tisagenlecleucel, Novartis AG) became the first CAR T-cell therapy to be approved, there are no CAR Ts approved for solid tumors.

To overcome the challenges of current CAR T-cell strategies and enhance their efficacy and specificity for acute myeloid leukemia, researchers at the Sino-American Cancer Foundation and collaborating institutions have developed a nanobody-based CAR T-cell platform directed against C-type lectin-like molecule-1 (CLL-1).

Kivu Bioscience Inc. has announced receipt of Human Research Ethics Committee approval and clinical trial notification clearance in Australia to initiate a first-in-human trial of KIVU-305, its CEACAM5-targeted antibody-drug conjugate.

Almirall SA has nominated LAD-116 as a novel therapy targeting non-melanoma skin cancer for further development in IND-enabling studies. LAD-116 is based on collaborator Etherna Immunotherapies NV’s intratumoral mRNA/lipid nanoparticle (LNP) platform.