Glioblastoma is a particularly aggressive form of brain cancer characterized by rapid infiltration into surrounding brain tissue, especially in areas of increased neuronal activity. Neurons and nerve fibers have recently been identified as vital components of the tumor microenvironment that favor the initiation and progression of a variety of solid tumors, including gliomas. Researchers have gained new insights into the molecular mechanisms driving glioblastoma infiltration and identified subtypes of neurons that serve as the substrate for driving tumor progression.

Astrazeneca AB has synthesized pyraolo-and triazolo-azinone compounds acting as receptor-interacting serine/threonine-protein kinase 1 (RIPK1; RIP-1) inhibitors reported to be useful for the treatment of neurological disorders.

Convelo Therapeutics Inc. and Genentech Inc. have disclosed 3-β-hydroxysteroid-δ(8),δ(7)-isomerase (EBP) inhibitors reported to be useful for the treatment of multiple sclerosis, encephalomyelitis, optic neuritis, schizophrenia, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease and Huntington’s disease, among others.

Researchers at Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Université De Picardie Jules Verne and Université Paris-Est Créteil Val de Marne (UPEC) have identified lipid anionic oligosaccharides acting as microtubule-associated protein tau (PHF-tau; MAPT) aggregation inhibitors reported to be useful for the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease.

University of Western Australia has disclosed 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) analogues acting as dopamine transporter (DAT) and/or norepinephrine transporter (NET) and/or serotonin transporter (SERT) modulators reported to be useful for the treatment of neurological and psychiatric disorders.

Alchemab Therapeutics Ltd. has presented ATLX-1088, its newly discovered preclinical Alzheimer’s candidate, and provided early data.