T-cell exhaustion is a differentiation state of T cells associated with tumor progression in the context of cancer. One of the co-stimulatory molecules in the tumor microenvironment, 4-1BB, triggers a signaling cascade resulting in cytokine secretion and upregulation of antiapoptotic molecules.

Although FMS-like tyrosine kinase 3 (FLT3) inhibitors have shown success treating FLT3-mutated acute myeloid leukemia (AML), around 30% to 50% of patients show primary resistance to both type I and type II inhibitors. Therefore, identifying therapeutic strategies to overcome this resistance and enhance the efficacy of FLT3 inhibitors remains an urgent need.

The SLC6A6 gene encodes the transporter of the amino acid taurine. In recently presented work, researchers from the Institute of Molecular and Clinical Ophthalmology Basel, University of Basel and affiliated organizations aimed to investigate the molecular pathology of a novel mutation in SLC6A6 and its association with a syndromic form of Leber congenital amaurosis (LCA).

Tonix Pharmaceuticals Holding Corp. has received FDA clearance of its IND application to support a phase I trial with TNX-1500, an anti-CD40L monoclonal antibody. The first indication Tonix is seeking for TNX-1500 is the prevention of organ rejection in patients receiving a kidney transplant. Enrollment in the phase I study is expected to open in the third quarter of this year.

Researchers from Hangzhou Polymed Biopharmaceuticals Inc. have reported the discovery and preclinical evaluation of HPB-092, an FMS-like tyrosine kinase 3 (FLT3) and interleukin-1 receptor-associated kinase 4 (IRAK-4) dual inhibitor, being developed for the treatment of acute myeloid leukemia (AML).