Despite the approval of numerous antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs), their therapeutic index remains limited by off-target toxicity resulting from linker instability. To address this challenge, the development of novel ADCs with improved plasma stability and reduced systemic toxicity is critically needed.
CDR-Life Inc. has announced CDR-609 as its next clinical candidate. Built on the company’s proprietary M-gager platform, CDR-609 is a novel T-cell engager targeting LGR5, a surface antigen widely expressed on common solid tumors, including colorectal, gastric, liver and pancreatic cancers.
Ningbo Newbay Medical Technology Co. Ltd. has identified helicase bicycle amide derivatives acting as DNA polymerase θ (POLθ, POLQ) inhibitors reported to be useful for the treatment of cancer.
Healzen Therapeutics Co. Ltd. has patented new proteolysis targeting chimera (PROTAC) compounds comprising an E3 ubiquitin ligase-binding moiety covalently linked to a mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase kinase kinase 1 (MAP4K1; HPK1; MEKKK1)-targeting moiety via a linker. They are reported to be useful for the treatment of cancer, hematological and autoimmune diseases.
Researchers from Sagittide Therapeutics Co. Ltd. and Shanghai Jiao Tong University have presented results of early studies with a novel MUC1-C-targeted near-infrared imaging agent – SAG-602 – for fluorescence-guided surgery of cancer.
MYC is a key regulator of RNA Polymerase I (Pol I) transcription, promoting rRNA synthesis both directly and indirectly. MYC overexpression is common in many cancer types, where it drives increased ribosome biogenesis to support uncontrolled cell growth and proliferation.
Aprea Therapeutics Inc. has announced new preclinical data on APR-1051, the company’s next-generation oral WEE1 inhibitor, in human papillomavirus (HPV)-positive head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC).
Haisco Pharmaceutical Group Co. Ltd. has identified new proteolysis targeting chimeras (PROTACs) comprising an E3 ubiquitin ligase binding ligand coupled to probable global transcription activator SNF2L2 (SMARCA2; BAF190B; SNF2-α)-targeting agent through a linker acting as SMARCA2 degradation inducers and thus reported to be useful for the treatment of lung cancer.
Diffuse midline gliomas (DMGs) are pediatric brain tumors with a very dismal prognosis since less than 5% of patients survive 2 years after diagnosis. Radiotherapy remains the standard treatment for DMG, and several combination chemotherapies and single-agent target therapies are currently being explored.