Cisplatin is widely used in chemotherapy regimens for many solid tumors, yet its therapeutic benefit is counterbalanced by significant toxicity and immunologically related limitations. Researchers from Jiangxi University of Chinese Medicine described the preclinical efficacy of the PD-L1-targeted cisplatin prodrug MN42-81, designed to overcome these limitations.
CSPC Pharmaceutical Group Ltd.’s SYS-6051 has gained clinical trial clearance from China’s National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) for advanced solid tumors. SYS-6051 is a human tissue factor-targeted antibody-drug conjugate that binds to tissue factor expressed on the surface of tumor cells.
Mabwell (Shanghai) Bioscience Co. Ltd.’s has announced IND acceptance by China’s National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) for the company’s LILRB4/CD3 T-cell engager bispecific antibody 6MW5311. The drug candidate is being developed for hematologic malignancies, specifically acute myeloid leukemia (AML), chronic myelomonocytic leukemia and multiple myeloma.
Glyconex Inc. has received approval from Japan’s Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Agency (PMDA) for the initiation of a first-in-human phase I trial of GNX-1021, the company’s lead antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) candidate, in patients with advanced gastrointestinal (GI) cancers.
While most human papillomavirus (HPV) infections are cleared by the host immune system, persistent infection with high-risk HPV genotypes, particularly HPV16 and HPV18, can promote cervical cancer development. Researchers from Huazhong University of Science and Technology reported the development and preclinical characterization of KDTV-001, an HPV vaccine comprising a nonreplicating adenovirus type 5 vector encoding a codon-optimized fusion protein of the early antigens E6 and E7 derived from HPV genotypes 16, 18 and 52.
Researchers from Fudan University (Shanghai, China) and collaborators tested the use of senescent tumor cell (STC)-derived nanovesicles to enable spatiotemporally confined immune responses for selective clearance of radiotherapy-induced STCs.
Kazia Therapeutics Ltd. has licensed a first-in-class SETDB1-targeted epigenetic drug development platform from QIMR Berghofer. The company acquired global rights to the SETDB1 platform, including the lead candidate MSETC, in exchange for an up-front payment and a tiered revenue-sharing structure aligned with development progress.
Solve Therapeutics Inc. has disclosed new antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) comprising antibody or antigen binding fragments targeting trophoblast glycoprotein (TPBG; 5T4) linked to a cytotoxic drug and therefore potentially useful for the treatment of cancer.
Replimune Group Inc. received another complete response letter (CRL) from the U.S. FDA for immunotherapy vusolimogene oderparepvec to treat advanced melanoma, sending shares plunging by more than 19% on the April 10 PDUFA date.
CBL-B is a RING-type E3 ubiquitin ligase that acts as a negative regulator of T-cell activation, contributing to immune homeostasis by limiting excessive immune responses. In cancer, however, this inhibitory role can impair the immune system’s capacity to detect and eradicate tumor cells. Researchers from Genentech Inc. presented the design and optimization of a series of CBL-B-targeting molecular glues.