IKZF2, a transcription factor in the Ikaros family, plays a key role in stabilizing regulatory T (Treg) cells and promoting immune suppression within the tumor microenvironment (TME). Selective targeting of IKZF2 in intratumoral Tregs has the potential to enhance antitumor immunity and improve the efficacy of immunotherapy, while minimizing immune-related toxicities associated with systemic Treg depletion.
Recurv Pharma Inc. has developed a novel taxoid compound formulated in an oil-in-water nanoemulsion, named RP-001, as a potential therapeutic approach for the management of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), either as a single agent or combined with immune checkpoint inhibitors.
Allterum Therapeutics Inc. has obtained IND clearance from the FDA for 4A10, paving the way for initiation of a first-in-human phase I trial in patients with relapsed or refractory acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). 4A10 is a monoclonal antibody with a human immunoglobulin G subclass 1 (IgG1) backbone that specifically binds to CD127 (IL-7Rα).
Basal-like breast cancer is a particularly aggressive subtype of the malignancy, for which it has been difficult to identify good therapeutic targets. In collaboration, European researchers mined public transcriptome datasets to show that the aldehyde dehydrogenase 1A isoform ALDH1A3 was predominantly expressed in epithelial cells within basal-like tumors, whereas the isoforms ALDH1A1 and ALDH1A2 were predominantly expressed in stromal and immune-associated cells.
Simon Fraser University, TRIUMF and the University of British Columbia have disclosed radiolabeled compounds reported to be useful for the diagnosis of cancer.
Convalife Pharmaceuticals Co. Ltd. and Zhejiang Convalife Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd. have discovered sulfanilamide compounds acting as kinesin-like protein KIF18A inhibitors reported to be useful for the treatment of cancer, inflammatory disorders and ciliopathy.
Tessera Therapeutics Inc. has been awarded up to $41.3 million from the Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H) as part of its EMBODY (Engineering of immune cells inside the body) program to support the development of Tessera’s in vivo CAR T therapy efforts.
Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co KG has signed an asset purchase agreement with Accent Therapeutics Inc. for Accent’s preclinical small-molecule program that offers a novel approach for treating tumors with high interferon-stimulated gene (ISG) expression.
The transition from complex and costly ex vivo strategies to platforms that enable direct cellular intervention within the body, known as in vivo therapies, is marking a paradigm change in the field of gene and cell therapies by simplifying manufacturing, improving tissue targeting and expanding clinical access to treatments.
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