NK cell-based cancer immunotherapy has emerged as an anticancer treatment approach and is currently being tested in clinical trials. KIR2DL5, a member of the human killer cell immunoglobulin-like receptor (KIR) family, has recently been identified as a binding partner for poliovirus receptor (PVR). However, the biology and therapeutic potential of the KIR2DL5/PVR pathway remain widely unexplored.

Previous research has shown that cytotoxic lymphocytes rely on gasdermin-mediated pyroptosis to kill tumor cells. Pyroptosis appears to be closely involved in anticancer immune response and has therefore emerged as a promising strategy for cancer treatment. In a recently published study, scientists at the University of Wisconsin-Madison aimed to leverage gasdermin-triggered pyroptosis for antitumor immunotherapy.

Researchers from Nalo Therapeutics Inc. presented the discovery and preclinical evaluation of a novel orally bioavailable and brain-penetrant epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) inhibitor, NX-019, being developed as a potential therapeutic agent to treat EGFR-mutant solid tumors.

Nikang Therapeutics Inc. and Shanghai Blueray Biopharma Co. Ltd. have described exocyclic amino quinazoline derivatives acting as GTPase KRAS inhibitors, particularly KRAS (G12D mutant) inhibitors, reported to be useful for the treatment of cancer.

Chengdu Baiyu Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd. has synthesized NLRP3 inflammasome inhibitors acting as pyroptosis inhibitors reported to be useful for the treatment of cancer, autoimmune, cardiovascular, endocrine, respiratory, renal, neurological and gastrointestinal disorders, among others.

The high and specific expression of Kita-Kyushu lung cancer antigen 1 (KK-LC-1) in multiple types of tumors makes it an ideal target for drug delivery.

Researchers from Shouyao Holdings (Beijing) Co. Ltd. presented the discovery of novel Wee1-like protein kinase inhibitors being investigated as agents for the treatment of cancer.