THOMAS JEFFERSON UNIVERSITY

GeoVax Advances Gedeptin Gene Therapy for Solid Tumors with Expanded Patent Portfolio and Promising Clinical Data

22 days ago

• GeoVax has strengthened its Gedeptin therapy platform with newly allowed patent claims covering the synergistic combination of gene therapy with radiation for treating various solid tumors. • Clinical data presented at AACR 2025 demonstrated Gedeptin's safety profile and efficacy in heavily pretreated head and neck cancer patients, with median progression-free and overall survival of 7.0 months. • The company is advancing to a Phase 2 trial combining Gedeptin with pembrolizumab (Keytruda) as a neoadjuvant therapy for relapsed head and neck cancer, leveraging potential synergy with immune checkpoint inhibitors.

NIH Launches First Human Trial of LASSARAB Vaccine for Deadly Lassa Fever

2 months ago

• The NIH has initiated a Phase 1 clinical trial of LASSARAB, a novel vaccine candidate for Lassa fever, a viral hemorrhagic disease that can be fatal and causes permanent hearing loss in up to one-third of patients. • Developed by researchers at Thomas Jefferson University, LASSARAB demonstrated complete protection in nonhuman primates exposed to lethal doses of Lassa virus, representing a significant advancement in addressing this West African endemic disease. • The trial will enroll 55 healthy adults to evaluate three different concentrations of the vaccine, which uniquely combines protection against both Lassa fever and rabies through a modified inactivated rabies vaccine platform.

TALAPRO-2 Trial: Talazoparib-Enzalutamide Combo Shows Significant Survival Benefit in Metastatic Prostate Cancer

3 months ago

• The combination of talazoparib and enzalutamide demonstrated an 8.8-month improvement in overall survival compared to enzalutamide alone in metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer patients. • Patients with homologous recombination repair-deficient tumors showed an even more pronounced benefit, with a 14-month survival improvement and 38% reduction in death risk. • The phase 3 TALAPRO-2 trial revealed manageable safety profiles with no new concerns, despite grade 3/4 anemia occurring in 49% of patients, which was effectively managed through dose adjustments.

Surgical Treatment for Sleep Apnea Shows Lower Car Crash Risk Compared to CPAP Therapy

4 months ago

A large-scale analysis of over 2.8 million sleep apnea patients reveals that surgical intervention may be more effective than CPAP therapy in reducing motor vehicle accident risk. The study found that surgery patients had 45% lower odds of accidents compared to CPAP users, highlighting important implications for both patient care and public safety.

Leading MDS Expert Dr. Garcia-Manero Reflects on 25 Years of Mentorship and Innovation at MD Anderson

5 months ago

• Dr. Guillermo Garcia-Manero has led groundbreaking research in myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) at MD Anderson Cancer Center, helping develop standard-of-care treatments including azacitidine and decitabine. • As fellowship program director in the Department of Leukemia, Dr. Garcia-Manero has mentored over 250 fellows over 25 years, creating a lasting impact on the next generation of hematology-oncology specialists. • Under his leadership, MD Anderson's MDS program has made significant advances in understanding disease biology and developing new targeted therapies, particularly benefiting older patients with complex comorbidities.

Tiziana Life Sciences Advances Foralumab for MS and SCI Treatment

6 months ago

• Tiziana Life Sciences is expanding its Phase 2 trial of intranasal foralumab for non-active secondary progressive multiple sclerosis (na-SPMS) to include more prestigious U.S. medical centers. • The company announced the discovery of new immune biomarkers in patients with na-SPMS treated with nasal foralumab, enhancing understanding of the drug's mechanism. • Preclinical studies show that nasal anti-CD3 treatment, foralumab, led to notable advancements in motor functions in models with spinal cord injury (SCI). • Tiziana Life Sciences has dosed additional patients in its Expanded Access Program for na-SPMS, with early data showing disease stabilization or improvement.

Lactated Ringer's Shows Superiority Over Normal Saline in Pancreatitis Resuscitation

6 months ago

• Recent studies suggest Lactated Ringer's (LR) is more effective than normal saline (NS) in early pancreatitis resuscitation, reducing disease progression and complications. • LR's balanced electrolyte composition helps avoid hyperchloremic acidosis and electrolyte imbalances, common with NS, potentially reducing organ dysfunction. • A large retrospective analysis across 22 international sites showed that LR reduces systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) and the risk of necrotizing pancreatitis. • The ongoing WATERLAND trial aims to provide definitive evidence on LR's superiority by monitoring inflammatory markers and clinical outcomes in pancreatitis patients.

HepaRegeniX Secures €15 Million to Advance HRX-215 for Liver Regeneration

6 months ago

• HepaRegeniX has secured €15 million in a Series C round to advance the clinical development of HRX-215, a novel regenerative therapy for liver diseases. • HRX-215, a small molecule inhibitor of MKK4, aims to unlock the regenerative capacity of hepatocytes, potentially benefiting patients with liver tumors and those needing transplants. • The funding will support a Phase Ib clinical trial in the US and an international Phase IIa clinical trial to enhance liver recovery and prevent liver failure. • Dr. Linda Greenbaum, formerly of Novartis and Janssen R&D, joins HepaRegeniX as CMO to guide HRX-215 through Phase II trials and beyond.

Aura Biosciences' Bel-sar Shows Promise in Choroidal Melanoma and Bladder Cancer Trials

6 months ago

• Aura Biosciences reports positive Phase 2 data for bel-sar in early-stage choroidal melanoma, demonstrating 80% tumor control and 90% visual acuity preservation. • Phase 1 trial of bel-sar in NMIBC shows clinical complete response in low-grade disease and immune activation, suggesting potential as a novel immune-ablative treatment. • The Phase 3 CoMpass trial for choroidal melanoma has received EMA authorization to begin enrolling patients in Europe, expanding the trial's global reach. • With a strong cash position, Aura Biosciences expects to fund operations into the second half of 2026, supporting ongoing clinical development programs.

Novel Anti-MDM2 PROTAC Shows Promise for p53-Mutated Cancer Treatment

7 months ago

• Researchers at Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center are developing an innovative anti-MDM2 PROTAC therapy that targets p73 activation to induce cancer cell death in p53-mutated tumors. • The experimental treatment works by degrading MDM2 proteins, triggering cellular stress that activates p73, which shares transcriptional targets with p53 and can promote apoptosis. • The research team, led by Dr. Christine M. Eischen, is currently optimizing the MDM2 PROTAC compound before advancing to clinical trials with cancer patients.

Trump Administration Reshapes Health Agencies; FDA Approves Novel Cancer Therapies

7 months ago

• President-elect Trump nominates Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as HHS Secretary, Mehmet Oz to lead CMS, and Marty Makary to head the FDA, signaling a shift in healthcare priorities. • The FDA grants accelerated approval to asciminib for chronic myeloid leukemia and obecabtagene autoleucel for B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia, marking advancements in cancer treatment. • Revumenib receives approval for relapsed or refractory acute leukemia with KMT2A translocation, offering a targeted therapy for this specific genetic alteration. • A new Surgeon General's report highlights disparities in tobacco use, emphasizing the need for tailored interventions in vulnerable populations.

EyePoint Pharmaceuticals Doses First Patient in Phase 3 Trial of Duravyu for Wet AMD

7 months ago

• EyePoint Pharmaceuticals has dosed the first patient in the Phase 3 LUGANO trial of Duravyu for wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD). • Duravyu delivers vorolanib via sustained-release Durasert E technology, potentially reducing the need for frequent injections. • The LUGANO and LUCIA trials aim to enroll approximately 400 patients each, comparing Duravyu to aflibercept with re-dosing evaluated. • Positive Phase 1 and 2 data showed clinically meaningful outcomes, including reduced treatment burden, supporting Phase 3 progression.

Philadelphia Hospitals Pioneer New Strategy for Treating 'Tranq Dope' Withdrawal

7 months ago

• Philadelphia hospitals are testing a novel approach to manage withdrawal from 'tranq dope,' a combination of fentanyl and xylazine, which presents more severe symptoms than heroin withdrawal. • The new treatment strategy involves using short-acting opioids like oxycodone or hydromorphone, combined with low-dose buprenorphine, ketamine and adjunctive therapies. • This innovative approach has significantly reduced patient-directed discharges from hospitals, decreasing from 10% to under 4%, and has halved the severity of withdrawal symptoms. • The strategy addresses the challenges posed by tranq dope, where traditional treatments like buprenorphine alone often lead to precipitated withdrawal and ineffective symptom control.

EUS-Guided Celiac Plexus Block Shows Promise in Pancreatic Cancer Pain Management

7 months ago

• Endoscopic ultrasound-guided celiac plexus block (EUS-CPB) is being investigated for pain palliation in pancreatic cancer patients. • A multi-center, randomized controlled trial is underway to evaluate the efficacy of EUS-CPB compared to standard pain management. • The study aims to determine if EUS-CPB can reduce pain intensity and improve quality of life for patients with pancreatic cancer. • Preliminary results suggest EUS-CPB could offer a valuable alternative or adjunct to traditional pain control methods.

Geographic and Socioeconomic Disparities Limit Access to CAR T-Cell Therapy

7 months ago

• A recent study reveals that patients living 2-4 hours from CAR T-cell therapy centers are nearly 40% less likely to receive treatment, highlighting geographic barriers. • Socioeconomic factors such as age, race, and income significantly impact access to CAR T therapy, with Black patients 56% less likely to receive it than White patients. • Insurance restrictions and employer-sponsored health plans often require patients to travel long distances, adding to the burden and potentially affecting treatment outcomes. • Research suggests a flexible post-infusion monitoring period could decrease financial and geographic limitations, making CAR T therapy more accessible.

HepaRegeniX Secures €15 Million to Advance HRX-215 for Liver Regeneration

8 months ago

• HepaRegeniX has raised €15 million in a Series C round to support clinical trials of HRX-215, a novel regenerative therapy for liver diseases. • The funding will facilitate a Phase Ib trial in the US and an international Phase IIa trial to assess HRX-215's ability to enhance liver recovery and prevent liver failure. • HRX-215, a small molecule inhibitor of MKK4, aims to unlock the regenerative capacity of hepatocytes, offering potential benefits in liver resection and transplantation. • Dr. Linda Greenbaum joins HepaRegeniX as CMO, bringing extensive experience in clinical development to guide HRX-215 through Phase II trials and beyond.

Kineta's KVA12123 Clinical Data to be Presented at SITC 2024

8 months ago

• Kineta's KVA12123, a VISTA-blocking immunotherapy, will be featured in a poster presentation at the SITC 2024 Annual Meeting, highlighting new clinical data. • The presentation will cover an ongoing Phase 1/2 clinical trial of KVA12123 alone and in combination with pembrolizumab in advanced solid tumors. • The poster, presented by Dr. Jason Henry from Sarah Cannon Research Institute, will offer insights into the drug's efficacy and safety profiles. • KVA12123 represents a novel approach to address immune suppression within the tumor microenvironment, potentially effective across multiple cancer types.

STEAP1-Targeted T-Cell Engager Xaluritamig Shows Promise in Advanced Prostate Cancer

8 months ago

• Xaluritamig, a STEAP1-targeted T-cell engager, demonstrates significant clinical activity in heavily pretreated metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) patients. • The optimized dosing schedule of Xaluritamig, involving step dosing to 1.5 mg every other week, improves tolerability and reduces musculoskeletal-related adverse events. • Clinical trials show impressive response rates, including in patients with liver metastases, with durable outcomes comparable to existing treatments like the VISION trial. • A phase 3 trial is planned to compare Xaluritamig to standard therapies, with potential to change clinical practice in late-stage prostate cancer management.

Ideaya's Darovasertib Shows Promise in Uveal Melanoma, Advances to Phase 3

8 months ago

• Ideaya Biosciences' darovasertib demonstrated encouraging Phase 2 results in neoadjuvant uveal melanoma (UM), with approximately 49% of patients showing >30% tumor shrinkage. • The trial also reported a ~61% eye preservation rate for enucleation patients, suggesting a potential for improved outcomes in this rare eye cancer. • Following a successful FDA Type C meeting, Ideaya is advancing darovasertib to a Phase 3 registrational trial with eye preservation and time to vision loss as primary endpoints. • The planned Phase 3 trial will enroll approximately 400 patients and aims to establish darovasertib as a new standard of care for neoadjuvant UM.

Kaida BioPharma Advances Novel Therapies for Gynecological Cancers, Launches Social Media Channels

8 months ago

• Kaida BioPharma is focusing on developing innovative drugs for treatment-resistant gynecological cancers, addressing a critical unmet need. • The lead program, KAD101, is a novel biologic targeting the prolactin receptor, currently being developed for ovarian cancer with Phase 1 trials in 2025. • KAD101 has shown encouraging results in early clinical studies, demonstrating tumor reduction and a favorable safety profile as a daily injectable. • Kaida BioPharma has launched corporate social media channels to connect with investors, patients, and industry partners, enhancing its visibility.