Researchers from University of California Los Angeles and affiliated organizations published data from a study that aimed to identify novel surface proteins that are highly and selectively expressed in tumors and could serve as targets for chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapies for the treatment of melanoma.

The aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) is a transcription factor that modulates the activity of tumor and immune cells, hence targeting AhR may represent a feasible option for cancer immunotherapy. Researchers from the Institute of Materia Medica of Beijing and collaborators recently reported on the discovery and synthesis of a novel series of AhR antagonists derived from Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge intended to be used in cancer immunotherapy.

Monopar Therapeutics Inc. has received human research ethics committee (HREC) clearance in Australia to commence a first-in-human phase I dosimetry trial of its novel radiopharmaceutical MNPR-101-Zr in patients with advanced cancers.

Immunesensor Therapeutics Inc. has presented preclinical data on the stimulator of interferon genes (STING) agonist IMSA-101 which is designed to modify the tumor microenvironment in solid tumors and thus improve the trafficking and infiltration of CAR T-cell therapy into the tumor.

Xyphos Biosciences Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Astellas Pharma Inc., and Kelonia Therapeutics Inc. have entered into a research collaboration and license agreement to develop novel immuno-oncology therapeutics.

Lantern Pharma Inc. has generated a new class of highly specific and highly potent antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) with a cryptophycin drug-payload, in collaboration with Bielefeld University.

Medigene AG has selected initial clinical indications for its lead candidate, MDG-1015, specifically gastric cancer, ovarian cancer, myxoid/round cell liposarcoma and synovial sarcoma.