Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) cells depend on the transcriptional kinases CDK12 and CDK13 to maintain DNA damage response gene expression and manage replication stress. Due to their functional overlap, inhibition of a single kinase may permit compensatory activity.
Beijing Innocare Pharma Tech Co. Ltd. has gained IND clearance in China to conduct clinical trials of ICP-538, an orally administered molecular glue degrader targeting VAV1, which is a key protein downstream of T-cell and B-cell receptors. ICP-538 is being studied for the treatment of autoimmune diseases, such as inflammatory bowel disease, systemic lupus erythematosus and multiple sclerosis.
Uppthera Inc. has patented new proteolysis targeting chimera (PROTAC) compounds comprising cereblon E3 ubiquitin ligase-binding moiety covalently linked to Aurora kinase A (AURKA; ARK1)-targeting moiety. They are reported to be useful for the treatment of cancer.