Breast cancer cells, when disseminated to other secondary organs such as the lungs, may stay in a dormant state for years, even decades. But the mechanisms that limit their expansion are not well understood. This is what researchers call a dormant mesenchymal-like phenotype (M-like) before metastasis to the lungs. Now, scientists have shown in a study published Oct. 7, 2024, in Cell, that the limiting of disseminated breast cancer cells (DCCs) to metastasize in the lungs is due to alveolar macrophages (AMs), which activate signals that make DCCs stay dormant. Read More

The founding CEO of Alnylam Pharmaceuticals Inc. is now leading the charge with newly launched City Therapeutics Inc., which just completed a $135 million series A financing. City’s executive chair, John Maraganore, will be in familiar territory as the new company plans to develop RNAi-based medicines using next-generation siRNA engineering. He expects dozens of these therapies to reach the market in a relatively short period of time, not just from City Therapeutics but from other companies. It’s a period in the development timeline that he finds reminiscent of the rise and development of monoclonal antibodies. Read More

Recent evidence has suggested CDGSH iron-sulfur domain-containing protein 3 (CISD3) plays a tumorigenic role and is a key member in mitochondrial functioning. Additionally, the methylation changes surrounding the CISD3 gene plus its expression patterns in several cancer types suggest its potential as a biomarker and therapeutic target. Read More

Marvel Biosciences Corp. and its wholly owned subsidiary Marvel Biotechnology Inc. have reported promising results from a recent study of MB-204 in the Oprm1 mouse model of autism, showing that just 1 hour after administering a single oral dose of MB-204, the drug successfully reversed the social behavior deficits typically seen in the model. Read More

Kangbaida (Sichuan) Biotechnology Co. Ltd. has disclosed proteolysis targeting chimeras (PROTACs) comprising a cereblon (CRBN) ligand coupled to a mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase kinase kinase 1 (MAP4K1; HPK1; MEKKK1)-targeting moiety through a linker. Read More

Researchers from Proqr Therapeutics NV recently presented preclinical data on AX-0810, a single-stranded RNA editing oligonucleotide (EON) targeting RNA coding for NTCP cotransporter Read More

Researchers from Nanjing First Hospital reported that glutamine-fructose-6-phosphate transaminase 2 (GFPT2) may be considered a diagnostic and prognostic marker of mesothelioma. Read More

Protein homeostasis is disrupted in response to an uncontrolled stress condition, a hallmark of many diseases, such as cataracts. Lens protein accumulation and aggregates are a cause of cataract development. Read More

Scientists at Oncopia Therapeutics Inc. (dba SK Life Science Labs) and The University of Michigan have synthesized proteolysis targeting chimera (PROTAC) compounds comprising a cereblon E3 ubiquitin ligase-binding moiety coupled to a probable global transcription activator SNF2L2 (SMARCA2; BAF190B; SNF2-α) and transcription activator BRG1 (SMARCA4; BAF190A; SNF2-β)-targeting agent through a linker. Read More

Nanjing Mingde New Drug Research Co. Ltd. has designed proteolysis targeting chimera (PROTAC) compounds comprising an E3 ubiquitin ligase binding moiety covalently linked to a GTPase KRAS (G12D mutant)-targeting moiety via a linker for the treatment of cancer. Read More

Researchers from Shanghai Institute of Biological Products Co. Ltd. published details on the development and preclinical characterization of novel CD20-targeting T cell-dependent bispecific Fab-FabCH3 antibodies, referred to as tandem antigen-binding fragment 002 (TFAB-002). Read More

Shandong Luye Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd. has divulged tachykinin NK3 receptor antagonists reported to be useful for the treatment of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), depression, pain, obesity, cognitive disorders, inflammatory disorders, psychosis and urinary incontinence, among others. Read More

Nanjing Zaiming Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd. has described Werner syndrome ATP-dependent helicase (WRN; RECQ3; RECQL2) inhibitors reported to be useful for the treatment of cancer. Read More

Haihe Biopharma Co. Ltd. has published work on the discovery of novel ectonucleotide pyrophosphatase phosphodiesterase 1 (ENPP1) inhibitors being developed for the treatment of cancer. Read More