Certain cancers, such as triple-negative breast cancer, produce antibodies that, although they help fight the tumor, can cross the blood-brain barrier and alter the function of NMDA receptors (NMDAR) in the brain, which are essential for neuronal signaling. Scientists at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory (CSHL) have identified their origin and described how this process is linked to the maturation of these antibodies, which can activate or inhibit the receptor, causing neurological and psychiatric symptoms. Read More

Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a chronic inflammatory skin disease characterized by dysregulated T-cell-mediated immune responses and suboptimal outcomes with current therapies. Increased expression of OX40 and OX40L in lesional HS skin suggests a contributory role for this pathway in disease-associated inflammation. Read More

Aktis Oncology Inc. has obtained IND approvals from the FDA enabling the company to proceed to a phase Ib trial with AKY-2519, a miniprotein radioconjugate targeting B7-H3-expressing tumors, including prostate, lung and other solid tumors. Specifically, the IND clearances relate to [64Cu]Cu-AKY-2519 for imaging and [225Ac]Ac-AKY-2519 for therapeutic use. Read More

Marvel Biosciences Corp., together with its wholly owned subsidiary Marvel Biotechnology Inc., has announced nondilutive funding from the Alberta Innovates CarE (AICE) market access program to support progression into the clinic and phase I testing of lead compound, MB-204. MB-204, a fluorinated derivative version of istradefylline, offers potential as a new approach totreating autism spectrum disorders and related conditions, addressing socio-behavioral symptoms through a differentiated mechanism. Read More

Nimbus Salacia Inc. has disclosed new serine/threonine-protein kinase SIK2 (QIK) inhibitors potentially useful for the treatment of autoimmune disease, cancer, diabetes, inflammatory bowel disease, osteoarthritis, osteoporosis, rheumatoid arthritis and skin hyperpigmentation, among others. Read More

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is a condition that limits tolerance to exercise and predisposes people to sudden cardiac death due to mutations in sarcomeric genes. Researchers from Cedars-Sinai Medical Center have tested TY-1, a chemically modified oligonucleotide-based drug inspired by the previously tested EV-YF1, in mice with HCM. Read More

Tyligand Bioscience Ltd. has reported new dual-drug antibody-drug conjugates comprising monoclonal antibodies covalently linked to stimulator of interferon genes protein (STING; TMEM173) agonist and a cytotoxic drug. Read More

Biofront Ltd. has designed new proteolysis targeting chimeras (PROTACs) comprising an E3 ubiquitin ligase-binding moiety coupled to a mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase kinase kinase 1 (MAP4K1; HPK1; MEKKK1)-targeting moiety as HPK1 degradation inducers. They are described as potentially useful for the treatment of cancer. Read More

Dysregulated type 2 immune responses are central in atopic dermatitis (AD) pathophysiology. Key cytokine IL-13 drives epidermal barrier dysfunction and inflammation, while IL-31 mediates pruritus via activation of sensory neurons. Both represent clinically validated, complementary targets addressing both inflammation and itch in AD. Read More

The University of Toronto has patented new histone deacetylase 6 (HDAC6) inhibitors designed for use in the treatment of cancer, inflammation, neurodegeneration, infections, renal, neuromuscular, respiratory disorders and cardiometabolic syndrome. Read More

Montclair State University and the University of Maryland have discovered new dual 3’,5’-cyclic-AMP and -GMP phosphodiesterase 11A4 (PDE11A4) inhibitors potentially useful for the treatment of cognitive disorders. Read More

Infinimmune Inc. has recently presented results at the annual American Academy of Dermatology conference regarding their anti-IL-22 antibody IFX-101 for the treatment of atopic dermatitis. Read More