PHARMeMED’s Post

Boundless Bio has initiated patient enrollment in a Phase 1/2 clinical trial (STARMAP) to investigate BBI-825, a novel therapy targeting resistance gene amplifications in cancer. The oral ribonucleotide reductase inhibitor, BBI-825, is designed to inhibit the formation and repair of extrachromosomal DNA (ecDNA), which plays a crucial role in amplifying genes that drive cancer growth and resistance to targeted therapies. Preclinical studies have shown that BBI-825 effectively suppresses tumor growth and induces tumor regression in models of resistance mediated by MAPK pathway-activated tumors. The Phase 1/2 study will involve patients with locally advanced or metastatic cancer, evaluating BBI-825 as a single agent and in combination with select targeted cancer therapies. The initial focus will be on patients with colorectal cancer harboring KRASG12C and BRAFV600E mutations and resistance gene amplifications. Resistance to targeted therapies is a significant challenge in cancer treatment, particularly in colorectal cancer, where development of MAPK pathway and receptor tyrosine kinase gene amplifications often leads to poor outcomes. The STARMAP trial aims to address this unmet need for therapies that can prevent or overcome amplification-driven resistance in cancer. As a novel ecDTx, BBI-825 targets a fundamental mechanism of resistance, providing a potential breakthrough in oncogene amplified cancer treatment. The positive results from this trial could support the expansion of BBI-825 into broader patient populations, including those with pan-tumor, pan-RAS, and pan-RAF indications. This clinical trial is a significant milestone in the development of cancer therapies, and we look forward to seeing the results of this study. Klaus Wagner Zachary Hornby

📃Scientific paper: miRacle of microRNA-Driven Cancer Nanotherapeutics Abstract: SIMPLE SUMMARY: The discovery of microRNAs has revolutionized the world of science and opened up new opportunities in cancer treatment. miRNA dysregulation plays a crucial role in carcinogenesis processes, such as invasion, metastasis, and angiogenesis, in a broad range of cancers. Although the use of miRNA therapy in cancer treatment is promising, its effective and safe application remains one of the most important challenges hindering its clinical use. Novel nanoparticles continue to be developed and used to enable tumor-targeted miRNA delivery. The aim of the present review is to provide insights into the strategies for miRNA-based therapeutics in cancer, focusing on recent in vivo and clinical studies that have used nanoparticles for miRNA delivery. ABSTRACT: MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are non-protein-coding RNA molecules 20–25 nucleotides in length that can suppress the expression of genes involved in numerous physiological processes in cells. Accumulating evidence has shown that dysregulation of miRNA expression is related to the pathogenesis of various human diseases and cancers. Thus, stragegies involving either restoring the expression of tumor suppressor miRNAs or inhibiting overexpressed oncogenic miRNAs hold potential for targeted cancer therapies. However, delivery of miRNAs to tumor tissues is a challenging task. Recent advances in nanotechnology have enabled successful tumor-targeted delivery of miRNA therapeutics through newly designed nanoparticle-based ca... Continued on ES/IODE ➡️ https://etcse.fr/cDGhC ------- If you find this interesting, feel free to follow, comment and share. We need your help to enhance our visibility, so that our platform continues to serve you.

🚀 A New Era in Cancer Treatment is on the Horizon! 🚀 NYU Langone Health and Perlmutter Cancer Center have made a groundbreaking advancement in targeted cancer therapy! Their latest drug development selectively attacks cancer-causing mutations in HER2 proteins, potentially transforming treatment for HER2-positive cancers. Unlike conventional approaches, this antibody-based therapy spares healthy cells, aiming to significantly reduce side effects while boosting treatment effectiveness. 🔬 How it works: Using a novel antibody engineering technique, NYU’s team created a bispecific T-cell engager that attaches to mutant HER2 on cancer cells while recruiting T-cells to destroy them. Tested in mice, it’s already showing promise in reducing tumor growth without major side effects—a critical leap forward in precision oncology. 👨⚕️ What’s Next? 1.) Optimization: The team will continue refining the antibody, exploring options to maximize its potency. 2.) Preclinical Studies: Additional laboratory and animal testing will confirm its safety and effectiveness. 3.) Clinical Trials: With success in early trials, this treatment could enter Phase 1 human trials in the coming years. While it may take another 7-10 years for this therapy to reach the market, these innovations could usher in a new wave of cancer treatments that target mutations with surgical precision. With time, we could see more therapies emerging from this technique, tailored to other cancer-causing mutations. 🎉 Congratulations to Dr. Shohei Koide, Injin Bang, and the entire team for this achievement. We’re one step closer to safer, more effective cancer therapies. #biotech #healthcareinnovation #HER2 #cancerresearch #venturecapital #oncology #NYULangone https://lnkd.in/d_XCUiBY

If you are interested in gaining practical guidance in the interpretation of genomic test results that help inform clinical decision making for patients with cancer, then have a read of this review article on the American Cancer Society online library (open access, 4 min read).    Background:   🔎 The identification of driver mutations can unearth vulnerabilities of cancer cells to targeted therapeutics, which has led to the development and approval of novel diagnostics and personalized interventions in various malignancies.   💡 Although genomic tests can lead to better outcomes by informing cancer risk, prognosis, and therapeutic selection, they remain underutilized in routine cancer care. A contributing factor is a lack of understanding of their clinical utility and the difficulty of results interpretation by the broad oncology community.   👩⚕️ 👨⚕️  Recent rapid advances in cancer genomics are revolutionizing the management of cancer, making it essential for health care professionals to understand the implications of genomic alterations and molecular subtyping for diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment selection. 🔗 Article Link: https://lnkd.in/ezdpAhsr --- The PCC is a non-profit organization dedicated to driving global access to comprehensive genomic testing for all patients with cancer. The PCC is composed of and funded by: AstraZeneca, Bayer, GSK, Johnson & Johnson, Lilly, Novartis, and Roche, at the time of writing.

Hands-on SELEX (aptamer) development training for the target sequence of cancer biomarkers is underway! Focusing on the intricate process of aptamer selection, to identify novel cancer biomarkers sequences for early cancer detection. It’s a privilege to guide this journey, empowering participants with skills that could transform cancer diagnostics. Excited to see how this powerful technique will drive future innovations in cancer research and looking forward to the discoveries ahead!" Aptamers are versatile tools with significant potential in diagnostics, therapeutics, environmental monitoring, and research. Their ability to bind diverse targets with high affinity and specificity, combined with their stability and ease of modification, makes them valuable in a wide range of applications. Biosensing and Diagnostics Aptamers are widely employed in biosensors for detecting specific molecules or pathogens. They offer several advantages over antibodies, such as ease of synthesis and modification, high stability, and the ability to bind non-immunogenic molecules. Examples include: Aptamer-based biosensors: Used for detecting biomarkers like proteins, hormones, or even pathogens (e.g., in rapid diagnostic tests for diseases like cancer or viral infections). Aptamer-linked assays: Similar to ELISA but utilizing aptamers instead of antibodies, allowing for more stable and reproducible results. Fluorescent aptamer probes: These can be used for real-time detection of target molecules in cells or biological fluids.Tome BiosciencesUR Advanced TherapeuticsAmity UniversityUR Advanced TherapeuticsAjeet Kaushik, Ph.D. FICS I MRSC I ECS I ACSDr Jyoti BalaAline KirstenAshish GawadeUR Advanced TherapeuticsBioCognizBioTechTrekBSC BioNEST BioincubatorBSC BioNEST Bioincubator

On *April 13th, 2024* , the fourth session of the *4th International Faculty Development Program* convened under the overarching theme of *"Emerging Trends in Oncology: Therapeutics and Diagnostics." *Dr Ketan Patel, Associate Professor from St. John’s University, New York,* delivered the session on the topic *"Proteolysis Targeting Chimera and Novel Drug Delivery Systems for Drug-Resistant Cancer."* Throughout the session, Dr. Patel meticulously dissected key facets of his topic, elucidating intricate details for the audience's understanding. He navigated through the evolution of cancer treatment, emphasizing the pivotal roles of immunotherapy and targeted therapy in modern oncology. A focal point of discussion revolved around the challenges posed by druggable and non-druggable sites of proteins implicated in cancer pathogenesis. Dr. Patel elucidated various strategies to target these elusive sites, shedding light on the promising approach of Proteolysis Targeting Chimera (PROTAC). He elucidated the mechanism of action underlying PROTAC, emphasizing its ability to induce targeted protein degradation- a mechanism with profound implications for overcoming drug resistance in cancer therapy. Moreover, Dr. Patel provided insights into the current landscape of PROTAC-based therapeutics, highlighting their progression through clinical development. Addressing the complex issue of resistance development in cancer treatment, he delineated strategies to circumvent this obstacle, underscoring the importance of understanding the intricacies of the protein of interest and its points of interest. Overall, Dr. Patel's presentation offered a stimulating exploration of cutting-edge advancements in oncological therapeutics, underscoring the transformative potential of PROTAC and novel drug delivery systems in combating drug-resistant cancer.

Rice University Researchers Are Developing an Implantable Cancer Therapeutic Device That May Reduce Cancer Deaths by Half Immunotherapy device could also enable clinical laboratories to receive in vivo biomarker data wirelessly Researchers from Rice University in Houston and seven other states in the US are working on a new oncotherapy sense-and-respond implant that could dramatically improve cancer outcomes. Called Targeted Hybrid Oncotherapeutic Regulation (THOR), the technology is intended primarily for the delivery of therapeutic drugs by monitoring specific cancer biomarkers in vivo. Through a $45 million federal grant from the Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H), the researchers set out to develop an immunotherapy implantable device that monitors a patient’s cancer and adjusts antibody treatment dosages in real time in response to the biomarkers it measures. It’s not a far stretch to envision future versions of the THOR platform also being used diagnostically to measure biomarker data and transmit... Read the Dark Daily article at https://hubs.ly/Q02mddX_0

Cambridge-based biotech Mestag Therapeutics has shared in a £12 million Innovate UK grant to advance nextgen immunotherapies for cancer. The company has secured £1.5m of the total UK allocation. Harnessing new insights into fibroblast-immune interactions, Mestag is using the award to accelerate the development of its MST-0300 antibody. Mestag CEO Susan Hill said: “We are honoured to have been selected as a recipient for this highly competitive translational award. The presence of TLS in tumours is emerging as a key driver of improved treatment outcomes in cancer patients and our MST-0300 program, designed to induce the formation of TLS in tumours, holds important therapeutic promise.   “Leveraging the dynamic UK biotech ecosystem, the Innovate UK funding will enable us to advance MST-0300 rapidly to solid tumour patients who urgently need new treatment options.” Mestag is progressing a pipeline of sophisticated first-in-class antibodies designed to direct and drive the immune system using known and emerging fibroblast-immune biology for a distinctly differentiated class of therapeutics. Its pipeline includes MST-0300; the M402 program, targeting a stromal checkpoint to dampen down the activation of specific immune cell subsets in inflammatory disease; and earlier programs in discovery stage. Separately, in a collaboration with Janssen Biotech, Inc., a Johnson & Johnson company, Mestag is also identifying novel targets for future therapies. Full article – https://lnkd.in/dTBkp-7C

Rice University Researchers Are Developing an Implantable Cancer Therapeutic Device That May Reduce Cancer Deaths by Half Immunotherapy device could also enable clinical laboratories to receive in vivo biomarker data wirelessly Researchers from Rice University in Houston and seven other states in the US are working on a new oncotherapy sense-and-respond implant that could dramatically improve cancer outcomes. Called Targeted Hybrid Oncotherapeutic Regulation (THOR), the technology is intended primarily for the delivery of therapeutic drugs by monitoring specific cancer biomarkers in vivo. Through a $45 million federal grant from the Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H), the researchers set out to develop an immunotherapy implantable device that monitors a patient’s cancer and adjusts antibody treatment dosages in real time in response to the biomarkers it measures. It’s not a far stretch to envision future versions of the THOR platform also being used diagnostically to measure biomarker data and transmit... Read the Dark Daily article at https://hubs.ly/Q02mdgjK0

For over a decade, there has been sustained interest in targeting CDK7 as a therapeutic approach, with significant progress made in recent years. The field of CDK7 inhibitors is rapidly growing, encompassing a range of chemical classes that demonstrate promising kinase selectivity. These inhibitors operate through various mechanisms, including traditional competitive inhibition, irreversible binding, and selective degradation of CDK7 via heterobifunctional agents. Comparative studies indicate that CDK7 expression is markedly elevated in tumor tissues across multiple cancer types, such as breast cancer. Targeting CDK7 has shown potent effects on cancer cell proliferation, migration, and resistance to therapies in numerous malignancies, including breast, lung, hepatocellular, thyroid, glioblastoma, gastric, pancreatic, gallbladder, colorectal cancers, osteosarcoma, lymphomas, and leukemia. This makes CDK7 a highly promising therapeutic target for various conditions, notably castration-resistant prostate cancer, HR+ HER2− metastatic breast cancer, triple-negative breast cancer, and colorectal cancer. Preclinical and clinical data underscore the potential of CDK7 inhibition, particularly in advanced HR+/HER2− breast cancer cases that have progressed despite CDK4/6 inhibitors and hormonal therapies. Although a CDK7 inhibitor drug has not yet received FDA approval, ongoing clinical trials aim to enhance its efficacy. Key companies advancing CDK7 inhibitor drugs in clinical trials include Carrick Therapeutics, Qurient, Inc., Syros Pharmaceuticals, TYK Medicines Inc, and GT Apeiron/Exscientia. Get an in-depth analysis on how CDK7 inhibitors can unlock new possibilities in oncology at: https://lnkd.in/gTvBk2t9