The overexpression of the MYC oncogene could be explained through a new pathway that would act before transcription, when MYC binds to DNA. A group of scientists from Spain have identified how the ERK2 kinase interacted with the CDK9 protein, enabling it to bind to DNA in the promoter region of MYC. Read More

Cancer cachexia is a collection of symptoms involving progressive bodyweight loss with associated depletion of liver and skeletal muscle energy that ultimately bodes a poor prognosis in patients with cancer. Cachexia occurs in approximately 80% of patients with advanced cancer, and it is the most significant independent negative predictor of death with ~30% of cancer patients dying of cachexia. There are currently no effective treatments for cancer cachexia. Read More

Researchers from Addex Therapeutics Ltd. have published preclinical data for the novel positive allosteric modulator of the metabotropic glutamate mGlu2 receptor, ADX-106772, being developed for the treatment of opioid use disorder (OUD). Read More

Tonix Pharmaceuticals Holding Corp. has released data supporting the memory- and cognition-enhancing effects of TNX-4300 (estianeptine), the single (S)-isomer of tianeptine in preclinical development for depression, bipolar disorder, Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease. Read More

Jiangsu Hengrui Medicine Co. Ltd. and Shanghai Hengrui Pharmaceuticals Co. Ltd. have disclosed antibody-drug conjugates (ADC) comprising human monoclonal antibodies targeting ROR1 covalently linked to exatecan through a linker. They are reported to be useful for the treatment of cancer. Read More

Avencell Therapeutics Inc. has received approval from the EMA for its clinical trial application (CTA) for AVC-201 for the treatment of relapsed/refractory acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and other selected hematologic malignancies positive for CD123. A phase I study will be conducted in Germany. Read More

Shanghai Curegene Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd. has synthesized macrocyclic compounds acting as 3C-like proteinase (3CLpro; Mpro; nsp5) (SARS-CoV-2; COVID-19 virus) inhibitors reported to be useful for the treatment of SARS-CoV-2 infection (COVID-19). Read More

Golgi Neurosciences srl and Breye Therapeutics ApS have established a collaboration to develop Golgi’s P2X7 receptor antagonist program for retinal disorders. The companies have now closed the transfer of the P2X7 receptor antagonist program, which seeks to reduce nerve damage and inflammation in retinal disease and advance development of innovative oral small-molecule therapeutics for retinal disorders. Read More

Epibone Inc. has received IND clearance from the FDA to begin testing its engineered allogenic osteochondral graft in humans. Clinical trials are set to open patient recruitment as soon as early next year. Read More

Sichuan Kelun-Biotech Biopharmaceutical Co. Ltd. has identified immunostimulatory antibody-drug conjugates (ISAC) comprising immunomodulators (Toll-like receptor 7 [TLR7] and/or TLR8 agonists) bound to antibodies through cleavable or uncleavable linkers reported to be useful for the treatment of cancer. Read More

Protein tyrosine phosphatase nonreceptor type 22 (PTPN22) has been previously linked to several chronic inflammatory disorders and it has been established that PTPN22 regulates T-cell receptor signaling. Recent studies have also shown that PTPN22 plays a role in thrombosis, suggesting its potential use as target for cardiovascular diseases. In the current study, researchers from Southern Medical University and affiliated organizations aimed to assess the role of PTPN22 in the pathogenesis of calcific aortic valve disease (CAVD). Read More

Harvard College has divulged nicotinamide N-methyltransferase (NNMT) inhibitors reported to be useful for the treatment of cancer. Read More

Shanghai Euregen Biopharma Co. Ltd. has described pyridazine compounds acting as son of sevenless homolog 1 (SOS1)/GTPase KRAS (G12C mutant) interaction inhibitors reported to be useful for the treatment of cancer. Read More

Giardia lamblia is a protozoan pathogen that colonizes the gastrointestinal tract and results in giardiasis. Recently, researchers from the University of California San Diego aimed to identify potent proteasome inhibitors that selectively target G. lamblia, as potential antigiardiasis therapeutics with low toxicity. Read More

Additional early-stage research and drug discovery news in brief, from: Enveric Biosciences, HDT Bio. Read More