Cytoskeleton-associated protein 2 (CKAP2) is the most potent microtubule growth factor identified so far and is considered an undruggable protein, often associated with malignant progression in cancer by targeting the FAK-ERK2 signaling pathway. Using its proprietary platform, Soley Therapeutics Inc. has discovered a small molecule that modulates CKAP2 – STX-6398.
The interleukin-1 receptor accessory protein (IL1RAP) is expressed in cancer cells within the tumor microenvironment of several cancer types and plays a role in tumor development. DXP-106 is a humanized monoclonal antibody developed by Singlomics Biopharmaceuticals Co. Ltd. that binds to a unique epitope of IL1RAP domain 2 that competes with cytokines.
Researchers from Takeda Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd. detailed the preclinical characterization of TAK-188, a first-in-class anti-CCR8 antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) designed to selectively target CCR8+ Tregs, alleviating immunosuppression in the tumor microenvironment.
Biolojic Design Ltd. has reported preclinical data for its antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) BD-200, developed using an AI-guided antibody engineering platform named Multibody.
Simcere Zaiming Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd. has detailed the discovery and preclinical characterization of ZMS-2195, a multiple-RAS inhibitor designed to prevent both mutant and wild-type forms of KRAS, NRAS and HRAS from binding to the RAS-binding domain (RBD) of RAF, which is required to activate downstream MAPK signaling.
Biosion Inc. recently presented preclinical data describing their B7H3/PD-L1 bispecific antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) BSI-737 for the treatment of cancer.
Tumors with strong immunosuppressive microenvironments such as microsatellite-stable colorectal cancer (MSS-CRC) remain unresponsive to immune checkpoint blockade therapy, with <20% of gastrointestinal tumors responding to therapy.
Researchers from Flare Therapeutics Inc. presented the preclinical profile of FX-111, a selective active androgen receptor (ARON) degrader, in models of prostate cancer.
Hypersialylation in tumor cells is a potent mechanism of tumor immune evasion, pushing cancer progression by suppressing both innate and adaptive antitumor immunity. Shanghai Henlius Biotech Inc. has developed an engineered human sialidase enzyme fused to an anti-B7-H3 nanobody, named E-688 or HLX-316, that improves tumor desialylation, durability and efficacy both in vitro and in vivo, while maintaining a safe profile.
