When used as monotherapy against tumors, small molecules that mimic the SMAC protein and thereby inhibit apoptosis are ineffective. The same is true for inhibitors of BET family proteins. If each therapy on its own does not work, what about the two therapies together?

Pancreatic cancer remains one of the deadliest cancers, with survival rates showing little improvement over decades and projections placing it as the second leading cause of cancer deaths by 2030. Chemotherapy is essential for all patients, yet most tumors lacking BRCA1/2 or PALB2 mutations show resistance to cisplatin. Growing evidence suggests that targeting nuclear factor NF-κB, a key driver of cancer progression, could help overcome this chemoresistance and improve treatment outcomes.

Glioblastoma, the most aggressive and lethal form of brain cancer in adults, has long evaded effective treatment due to its resistance to standard therapies, including surgical resection, radiation, chemotherapy and targeted agents.

A recently published study in the Journal for Immunotherapy of Cancer presents a novel bispecific antibody-cytokine fusion protein that effectively enhances antitumor immunity.

GC Biopharma Corp. has filed an IND application with the South Korean Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) for a phase I trial of GC-4006A, an mRNA vaccine candidate for COVID-19.

C4X Discovery Holdings Ltd. has selected a preclinical candidate from its oral α4β7 integrin inhibitor program for the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). The potent and selective α4β7 inhibitor supports once-daily dosing. Moreover, the company’s approach can be combined with other targeted therapies for patients with complex or refractory disease where existing approaches have failed to deliver sufficient control.