Cancer cells expand through mutations – but not just through mutations. They also change their behavior in the absence of underlying genetic alterations. Such plasticity helps the cells both adapt to the cellular stress fueled by out-of-control growth and resist targeted and chemotherapies alike. Investigators from Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center and Huazhong Agricultural University have gained new insights into the underlying mechanisms of plasticity. Read More

Oncogenic KRAS mutations are among the most prevalent driver events in solid tumors, with the KRAS G12D variant constituting the dominant allele in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) and a frequent alteration in non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Researchers from Ranok Therapeutics (Hangzhou) Co. Ltd. and collaborators described the preclinical profile of RNK-08954, an oral KRAS G12D inhibitor, in both in vitro and in vivo models. Read More

Neok Bio Inc. has obtained IND clearance from the FDA for NEOK-001, enabling initiation of a phase I trial for solid tumors. Dosing is expected to begin in the coming months, and initial clinical data are anticipated next year. Read More

Researchers from Merck & Co. reported the development of MK-7762, a novel oxazolidine with antitubercular activity designed to overcome the off-target effects of linezolid. Read More

China’s National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) has cleared Shanghai Henlius Biotech Inc. to initiate a phase Ib/II trial of HLX-701 in combination with cetuximab and chemotherapy for the treatment of patients with advanced RAS/BRAF wild-type colorectal cancer. Read More

NF-κB-inducing kinase (NIK), also known as MAP3K14, is the key kinase driving noncanonical NF-κB signaling and p100 processing. Researchers from China Pharmaceutical University reported the discovery and preclinical evaluation of a novel NIK inhibitor. Read More

Rezubio Pharmaceuticals Co. Ltd. has reported new drug conjugates comprising lysophosphatidic acid receptor 1 (LPAR1; EDG2) antagonists covalently linked to a hydrophilic moiety through a linker reported to be useful for the treatment of fibrosis. Read More

Ervimmune SAS has announced the first closing of its series A financing with €17 million ($19.8 million) raised to advance ErVac-01, Ervimmune’s lead candidate, into the clinic and through a first-in-human trial. Read More

Lunan New Time Biotechnical Co. Ltd. has identified new camptothecin derivatives and their antibody-drug conjugates reported to be useful for the treatment of cancer. Read More

Shanghai Qingrun Pharmaceutical Technology Co. Ltd. has discovered new GTPase KRAS mutant inhibitors reported to be useful for the treatment of cancer. Read More

Serotonergic G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), including the 5-HT2A receptor (5-HT2AR) and 5-HT2CR, are key regulators of cortical signaling pathways and promising targets for neurotherapeutic drug discovery. Researchers from the University of Texas System have developed AB-0124, a 5-HT2AR allosteric ligand, and JPC-0323, a dual 5-HT2AR/5-HT2CR allosteric ligand, with the aim of overcoming issues with direct agonists of these receptors for treating substance abuse disorders, like cocaine use. Read More

Beyang Therapeutics Co. Ltd. has divulged salts of vascular endothelial growth factor receptor (VEGFR) inhibitors reported to be useful for the treatment of cancer, fibrosis, autoimmune, inflammatory, neurodegeneration, cardiovascular, metabolic and eye disorders. Read More

Sunshine Lake Pharma Co. Ltd. has patented new PKMYT1 inhibitors reported to be useful for the treatment of cancer, psoriasis and rheumatoid arthritis. Read More

Avacta Therapeutics (Avacta Group plc) has obtained IND clearance from the FDA for FAP-Exd (AVA-6103), a Precision peptide-drug conjugate based on exatecan. Read More