Human interleukin-2

Immune checkpoint inhibitors, CAR immune cells, natural killer cells, tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes, emerging immunotherapies, current immunotherapy in gastrointestinal malignancies, tumor-targeting bacteria, advancing clostridia, engineered Salmonella and E. coli strains, and probiotic-guided CAR-T cells are highlighted in cancer therapy research.

The FDA approved 16 oncology therapies in Q3 2024, including first-in-class TCR T-cell therapy afami-cel for synovial cell sarcoma, denileukin diftitox for cutaneous T-cell lymphoma, and axatilimab-csfr for chronic graft-versus-host disease. Vorasidenib was approved for grade 2 astrocytoma or oligodendroglioma, and three EGFR-targeting therapies for non-small cell lung cancer. New formulations of atezolizumab and daratumumab with hyaluronidase were approved, along with expanded indications for durvalumab, isatuximab, and ribociclib. Selpercatinib was approved for pediatric medullary thyroid cancer, and pembrolizumab and dostarlimab-gxly received biomarker-agnostic approvals for malignant pleural mesothelioma and endometrial cancer, respectively.

15 participants (5 females, 10 males) showed varying degrees of urinary protein reduction post-treatment; 6 with >50% decrease, 9 with <50%. Mean 24-h urinary protein quantification pre-enrollment was 1.15 ± 0.94 g/day. Gastrointestinal symptoms improved in all post-treatment. 24-h urinary protein quantification decreased significantly at 1 and 3 months post-FMT, excluding 2 with acute infections. Specific urinary proteins and most immune cells/cytokines showed no significant changes. B cell counts decreased significantly post-FMT. Safety indicators showed no significant changes except for serum sodium and calcium. No severe adverse events reported. Gut microbiota composition changed post-FMT, with correlations noted between specific bacteria and B cell changes. Intestinal metabolite composition also changed, with correlations found between specific metabolites and B cells, serum calcium, and sodium.

Mural Oncology's virtual Investor Day highlighted progress in its lead candidate, Nemvaleukin, an engineered IL-2 cytokine showing promising efficacy in combination with pembrolizumab. The phase 3 ARTISTRY-7 trial for platinum-resistant ovarian cancer and phase 2 ARTISTRY-6 trial for mucosal melanoma are fully enrolled, with key data expected in early to mid-2025. The company also discussed its IL-18 program, with an IND submission planned for Q4 2025. Mural's fair value estimate is $12.00 per share, with a 'Long-Term Buy' rating and an implied upside of 293.4%.

Mural Oncology to host virtual Investor Day, sharing insights on nemvaleukin trial design, statistical assumptions, and progress. Key data readouts for nemvaleukin in platinum-resistant ovarian cancer and mucosal melanoma expected in late Q1/early Q2 2025. IND submission for Mural’s IL-18 program planned for Q4 2025.

Medicenna Therapeutics Corp. announced the results of its annual shareholder meeting on September 26, 2024, where all nominees were elected as directors. Shareholders also voted for MNP LLP as the auditor. 45.89% of common shares were represented at the meeting.

mRNA-based protein therapeutics overcome traditional recombinant protein development challenges, offering faster development, improved specificity, and broader therapeutic applicability.

Dr. Gertrudis Rojas Dorantes of the Cuban Centro de Inmunología Molecular visits TU Braunschweig for the sixth time, collaborating with Dr. Maren Schubert to improve cancer treatment using advanced biotechnological methods. Their work has led to five publications and a Research Prize from the Cuban Academy of Sciences, with potential for better cancer therapies within the next decade.