POPULARITY
40 episodes with solid tumors
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10 episodes with solid tumors
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9 episodes with solid tumors
9 episodes with solid tumors
10 episodes with solid tumors
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Drs. Tina Lockwood and Stacy Gray share the newly released evidence-based guideline on circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) testing from ASCO. They highlight recommendations on when ctDNA testing should be offered—including scenarios where tissue biopsies are challenging, unsafe, or unavailable in time to guide management—and explicitly outline situations where testing should not be utilized. They dive into the evidence evaluating ctDNA for treatment selection, molecular residual disease (MRD), and response monitoring across solid tumors and lymphoma. Drs. Lockwood and Gray explain the importance of balancing ctDNA's high specificity with its moderate sensitivity. They also touch on outstanding questions, including standardizing definitions for MRD, disease-specific applications, and the use of multi-cancer early detection (MCED) screening. Read the full guideline, "Circulating Tumor DNA Testing in Solid Tumors and Lymphoma: ASCO Guideline" at www.asco.org/molecular-testing-and-biomarkers-guidelines" LINK TO FULL TRANSCRIPT
Send us Fan MailFor years, T cell therapies have transformed blood cancers - but solid tumors have remained one of the hardest problems in medicine. Now a new company called Deck Bio believes the issue isn't just finding a better target...it's that cancer may never have been a single-target disease in the first place.Dr. Jack Silberstein, Ph.D. is the Founder and CEO of Deck Bio ( https://deck.bio/ ), a biotechnology company developing next-generation T cell engager therapies designed to address one of the most persistent challenges in solid tumor immunotherapy: antigen heterogeneity and immune escape.Deck Bio's platform takes a multi-target approach, engineering T cell receptors to simultaneously recognize multiple peptide-MHC (pMHC) complexes, with the goal of improving both tumor specificity and durable anti-tumor activity while reducing the on-target/off-tumor toxicity that has limited earlier T cell engager strategies.Prior to founding Deck Bio, Dr. Silberstein trained as an immunology Ph.D. at Stanford University, where he was a Bio-X interdisciplinary fellow, and later worked at Johns Hopkins University on early clinical and translational oncology studies, including work on AR-V7 as a resistance biomarker in prostate cancer and early immune checkpoint combination trials. His background spans both deep immunology and real-world clinical translation in oncology.Dr. Silberstein joins us following Deck Bio's recent preclinical presentation at AACR 2026 in San Diego, where the company shared early data on its multi-pMHC targeting strategy.#DeckBio #JackSilberstein #Immunotherapy #CancerResearch #TCellEngagers #Biotech #AACR2026 #SolidTumors #CancerTherapy #TCellTherapy #PrecisionMedicine #Oncology #TCRTherapy #CancerInnovation #Biotechnology #ImmuneSystem #CellTherapy #CancerBreakthrough #SyntheticBiology #FutureOfMedicineSupport the show
Cancer immunotherapy has transformed the treatment landscape for many advanced cancers over the past decade. Drugs targeting the PD-1 and PD-L1 pathways are now widely used across several tumor types, helping the immune system recognize and attack cancer cells more effectively. However, researchers are still working to understand how beneficial these therapies may be when used earlier in the disease course, particularly after surgery in patients with high-risk solid tumors. A research paper on this topic was published in Volume 17 of Oncotarget titled “Efficacy and safety of PD-1/ PD-L1 inhibitors as adjuvants in the treatment of patients with solid cancers: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.” Full blog - https://www.oncotarget.org/2026/05/20/immune-checkpoint-inhibitors-may-improve-outcomes-in-high-risk-solid-tumors/ Paper DOI - https://doi.org/10.18632/oncotarget.28855 Correspondence to - Dhai Almuteri - d.almuteri@qu.edu.sa Abstract video - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Ce07bHfjB4 Sign up for free Altmetric alerts about this article - https://oncotarget.altmetric.com/details/email_updates?id=10.18632%2Foncotarget.28855 Subscribe for free publication alerts from Oncotarget - https://www.oncotarget.com/subscribe/ Keywords - cancer, PD-1, PD-L1, adjuvant immunotherapy, solid tumor To learn more about Oncotarget, please visit https://www.oncotarget.com and connect with us: Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/Oncotarget/ X - https://twitter.com/oncotarget Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/oncotargetjrnl/ YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@OncotargetJournal LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/oncotarget Pinterest - https://www.pinterest.com/oncotarget/ Reddit - https://www.reddit.com/user/Oncotarget/ Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/0gRwT6BqYWJzxzmjPJwtVh MEDIA@IMPACTJOURNALS.COM
Results from the first-in-human, phase 1 MYTHIC trial (NCT04855656) demonstrated that combining the WEE1 inhibitor zedoresertib with the PYKMT1 inhibitor lunresertib achieved an overall response rate (ORR) of 18.5% via RECIST criteria in patients with CCNE1, FBXW7, and PPP2R1A-altered cancers.1 In patients with resistant/refractory ovarian cancer, the ORR was 33.3% across all dose levels and 50% at the potential recommended phase 2 dose. These data were presented by Timothy A. Yap, MBBS, PhD, FRCP, at the 2026 American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) Annual Meeting. Following his presentation, Yap joined CancerNetwork® for a discussion where he highlighted some of the most interesting takeaways from the trial. According to Yap, the disease states evaluated in this trial represent areas of unmet need where no specific standard-of-care options can target these alterations.Notably, based on results from this trial, the FDA granted fast track designation to lunresertib in combination with zedoresertib in patients with genomic-defined platinum-resistant ovarian cancer.2Yap is a medical oncologist and physician-scientist, as well as the Random Horne, Jr. Endowed Professor for Cancer Research and vice president and head of Clinical Development in the Therapeutics Discovery Division at UT MD Anderson Cancer Center.References1. Yap TA, Aggarwal R, Fontana E, et al. First data disclosure of the Phase I trial of the first in class combination of WEE1 inhibitor zedoresertib with PKMYT1 inhibitor lunresertib in patients with advanced solid tumors harboring CCNE1, FBXW7, or PPP2R1A genomic alterations. Presented at the 2026 AACR Annual Meeting; April 17-22, 2026; San Diego, CA. Abstract CT022.2. Following oral presentation of phase I Data at AACR 2026, Debiopharm announces FDA fast track designation for lunresertib in combination with zedoresertib for genomic-defined platinum-resistant ovarian cancer. News release. Debiopharm. April 20, 2026. Accessed May 4, 2026. https://shorturl.at/n1bWn
Dr. Mayank Gandhi, CEO of NEOK Bio, discusses the company's work on bispecific antibody drug conjugates and the limitations of conventional ADCs, which target a single antigen. Using a bispecific antibody to target two unique antigens on a tumor can address the shortcomings of earlier approaches by improving delivery of the toxic payload, overcoming tumor heterogeneity, and reducing off-target toxicity. NEOK has drugs in development for prostate cancer, and lung, head, neck, and gastrointestinal tumors. The trend for ADCs is toward multi-specific and multi-payload drugs, though Mayank warns it is not a simple task to go from one to many in designing these drug conjugates. Mayank explains, "There have been a lot of advancements in the last couple of decades, and especially the last few years, in various modalities in the treatment of hematological cancers, as well as to a certain degree in solid tumors. However, for many, many solid tumors, there's still a high unmet need given the still significant outcome, poor outcomes that patients experience, particularly with patients having metastatic disease across a variety of solid tumors. Now, if you look at specific modality like ADC or antibody drug conjugates, which is where NEOK Bio is, there's been a renaissance, if you will, with this modality in the last five to six years, particularly after the approval of a drug called Enhertu, which targets HER2 mutation. Now, many ADCs have been approved with different payloads. And so definitely that's made a dent in a variety of tumors, particularly in hematological cancers and select solid tumors as well." "Conventional ADCs thus far target one antigen or one target on a tumor. So it's an antibody-based approach. The antibody is typically pursuing one specific antigen that's usually an antigen that's expressed on tumors selectively versus normal tissue or normal cells. And then you have a linker and a payload, usually a toxic payload that's conjugated via a linker to the antibody. So that's an antibody drug conjugate construct." "Thus far, all the ADCs approved have been targeting only one antigen with a couple of different payloads. And so our bispecific approach is targeting two different antigens. If we use a bispecific antibody that targets two unique antigens on the tumor, we have more than one place that a potential antibody can bind and deliver the toxic payload. And then we have made some very significant improvements or changes in the antibody itself." #NEOKBio #DrugDevelopment #Innovation #AntibodyDrugConjugates #ADC #Oncology #Biotech#Oncology #SolidTumors #BispecificADC #CancerResearch #TranslationalResearch #MedicalOncology #HematologyOncology #ClinicalTrials #Biotech #Pharma #DrugDevelopment #PrecisionOncology #TumorMicroenvironment #TargetedTherapy NEOKBio.com Download the transcript here
Dr. Mayank Gandhi, CEO of NEOK Bio, discusses the company's work on bispecific antibody drug conjugates and the limitations of conventional ADCs, which target a single antigen. Using a bispecific antibody to target two unique antigens on a tumor can address the shortcomings of earlier approaches by improving delivery of the toxic payload, overcoming tumor heterogeneity, and reducing off-target toxicity. NEOK has drugs in development for prostate cancer, and lung, head, neck, and gastrointestinal tumors. The trend for ADCs is toward multi-specific and multi-payload drugs, though Mayank warns it is not a simple task to go from one to many in designing these drug conjugates. Mayank explains, "There have been a lot of advancements in the last couple of decades, and especially the last few years, in various modalities in the treatment of hematological cancers, as well as to a certain degree in solid tumors. However, for many, many solid tumors, there's still a high unmet need given the still significant outcome, poor outcomes that patients experience, particularly with patients having metastatic disease across a variety of solid tumors. Now, if you look at specific modality like ADC or antibody drug conjugates, which is where NEOK Bio is, there's been a renaissance, if you will, with this modality in the last five to six years, particularly after the approval of a drug called Enhertu, which targets HER2 mutation. Now, many ADCs have been approved with different payloads. And so definitely that's made a dent in a variety of tumors, particularly in hematological cancers and select solid tumors as well." "Conventional ADCs thus far target one antigen or one target on a tumor. So it's an antibody-based approach. The antibody is typically pursuing one specific antigen that's usually an antigen that's expressed on tumors selectively versus normal tissue or normal cells. And then you have a linker and a payload, usually a toxic payload that's conjugated via a linker to the antibody. So that's an antibody drug conjugate construct." "Thus far, all the ADCs approved have been targeting only one antigen with a couple of different payloads. And so our bispecific approach is targeting two different antigens. If we use a bispecific antibody that targets two unique antigens on the tumor, we have more than one place that a potential antibody can bind and deliver the toxic payload. And then we have made some very significant improvements or changes in the antibody itself." #NEOKBio #DrugDevelopment #Innovation #AntibodyDrugConjugates #ADC #Oncology #Biotech#Oncology #SolidTumors #BispecificADC #CancerResearch #TranslationalResearch #MedicalOncology #HematologyOncology #ClinicalTrials #Biotech #Pharma #DrugDevelopment #PrecisionOncology #TumorMicroenvironment #TargetedTherapy NEOKBio.com Listen to the podcast here
Guest: This special episode was recorded in front of a live audience at IMMUNOLOGY2026 in Boston. Brenda and Jason sit down with Dr. Charles Sentman, Director of the Center for Synthetic Immunity at Dartmouth College, and Dr. Giulia Escobar, Director of Pre-Clinical Research at Massachusetts General Hospital, to explore new strategies aimed at overcoming the unique challenges of treating solid tumors. They focus on real-world challenges in CAR T and NK cell therapies, including barriers to treating solid tumors, manufacturing and accessibility hurdles, and emerging applications beyond oncology, such as autoimmunity and neurodegenerative disease. Featured Products and Resources: Stay up-to-date with the latest in human immunology news. Download a free wallchart on the production of CAR T cells. Image courtesy of [Drs. Charles Sentman and Giulia Escobar] Subscribe to our newsletter! Never miss updates about new episodes. Subscribe
Advanced practice providers discuss biomarker testing in patients with colorectal cancer. Listen in to learn from Ann Marie Siney, RN, MSN, ANP-BC, and Kathleen Boyle, DScPAS, PA-C, about familial cancer syndromes associated with colorectal cancer and key biomarker testing often used in patients with colorectal cancer, including their thoughts on overcoming key barriers to testing, education of patients and caregivers, and improving equity in the application of biomarker for all patients. Presenters: Ann Marie Siney, RN, MSN, ANP-BC Division of Hematology/Oncology UCLA Health Santa Monica, California Kathleen Boyle, DScPAS, PA-C Gastrointestinal Cancer Center Dana-Farber Cancer Institute Boston, Massachusetts Link to full program: https://bit.ly/4spkxiC Get access to all our new podcasts by subscribing to the Decera Clinical Education Oncology Podcast on Apple Podcasts, YouTube Music, or Spotify. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
Listen to this audio podcast covering biomarker testing in patients with prostate cancer. Learn from Sara Traverso, MMS, PA-C, and Brenda Martone, MSN, ANP-BC, AOCNP, about when to conduct germline and somatic genetic testing in patients with prostate cancer, discussing testing with patients and their caregivers, recognizing actionable biomarkers, and improving APP confidence in the application of biomarker testing results to practice. Presenters: Sara Traverso, MMS, PA-C Physician Assistant Northwestern Medicine Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center Genitourinary Oncology Chicago, Illinois Brenda Martone, MSN, ANP-BC, AOCNP Nurse Practitioner Northwestern Medicine Chicago, Illinois Link to full program: https://bit.ly/3PB4ZJR Get access to all our new podcasts by subscribing to the Decera Clinical Education Oncology Podcast on Apple Podcasts, YouTube Music, or Spotify. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
Dr. Ivan Horak, Founder and CEO of Tikva Allocell, is focused on next-generation allogeneic cell therapies using modified T-cells from healthy donors to make these therapies more scalable, accessible, and affordable. Using virus-specific T-cells, this approach is showing effectiveness against solid tumors, which are difficult for traditional CAR-T therapies to treat. The primary target is an antigen found particularly in Epstein-Barr virus-associated malignancies and is showing potential for treating autoimmune diseases as well as cancer. Ivan explains, "Cell therapy has a long history. We started with many scientists, but probably the godfather of the technology, Zelig Eshhar, who's not with us anymore. He passed away last year. The idea behind that was to use patient cells and modify them and use them as a fighter against the cancer. But over time, we realized over the last two decades that it's very useful, very successful in the treatment of hematologic malignancies, but it's very expensive and labor-intensive. The question was how to enhance this technology and bring it to more patients in a friendly and affordable way." "The second generation are therapies where we are using healthy people's cells, primarily T-cells, but can be NK cells, can be gamma-delta T-cells. And these cells are being modified, and they are infused into a patient. The advantage of this technology is that patients are identified, and the provider can request the cell from different biotechnology companies, which can be available within the next few days, because from one healthy donor, you can make multiple doses for patients." #TikvaAllocell #CellTherapy #CancerResearch #Immunotherapy #Biotechnology #Biotech #Innovation #ClinicalTrials #AllogeneicTherapy #Allogeneic #SolidTumors #NextGenTherapy #PrecisionMedicine #CellTherapy #CART #Oncology #ImmuneOncology #CellandGeneTherapy tikvaallocell.com Listen to the podcast here
Dr. Ivan Horak, Founder and CEO of Tikva Allocell, is focused on next-generation allogeneic cell therapies using modified T-cells from healthy donors to make these therapies more scalable, accessible, and affordable. Using virus-specific T-cells, this approach is showing effectiveness against solid tumors, which are difficult for traditional CAR-T therapies to treat. The primary target is an antigen found particularly in Epstein-Barr virus-associated malignancies and is showing potential for treating autoimmune diseases as well as cancer. Ivan explains, "Cell therapy has a long history. We started with many scientists, but probably the godfather of the technology, Zelig Eshhar, who's not with us anymore. He passed away last year. The idea behind that was to use patient cells and modify them and use them as a fighter against the cancer. But over time, we realized over the last two decades that it's very useful, very successful in the treatment of hematologic malignancies, but it's very expensive and labor-intensive. The question was how to enhance this technology and bring it to more patients in a friendly and affordable way." "The second generation are therapies where we are using healthy people's cells, primarily T-cells, but can be NK cells, can be gamma-delta T-cells. And these cells are being modified, and they are infused into a patient. The advantage of this technology is that patients are identified, and the provider can request the cell from different biotechnology companies, which can be available within the next few days, because from one healthy donor, you can make multiple doses for patients." #TikvaAllocell #CellTherapy #CancerResearch #Immunotherapy #Biotechnology #Biotech #Innovation #ClinicalTrials #AllogeneicTherapy #Allogeneic #SolidTumors #NextGenTherapy #PrecisionMedicine #CellTherapy #CART #Oncology #ImmuneOncology #CellandGeneTherapy tikvaallocell.com Download the transcript here
Welcome to OncLive On Air®! I'm your host today, Kyle Doherty.OncLive On Air is a podcast from OncLive®, which provides oncology professionals with the resources and information they need to provide the best patient care. In both digital and print formats, OncLive covers every angle of oncology practice, from new technology to treatment advances to important regulatory decisions.In today's episode, we spoke with Sonali Smith, MD. Dr Smith holds the Elwood V. Jensen Professorship of Medicine and is the chief of the Section of Hematology/Oncology at UChicago Medicine. In our exclusive interview, Dr Smith discussed CAR-T cell therapies moving into solid tumors, the role of clinical trials in hematologic oncology, and the rising incidence of certain cancers in young adults. _____That's all we have for today! Thank you for listening to this episode of OncLive On Air. Check back throughout the week for exclusive interviews with leading experts in the oncology field.For more updates in oncology, be sure to visit www.OncLive.com and sign up for our e-newsletters.OncLive is also on social media. On X and BlueSky, follow us at @OncLive. On Facebook, like us at OncLive, and follow our OncLive page on LinkedIn.If you liked today's episode of OncLive On Air, please consider subscribing to our podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and many of your other favorite podcast platforms,* so you get a notification every time a new episode is posted. While you are there, please take a moment to rate us!Thanks again for listening to OncLive On Air.*OncLive On Air is available on: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, CastBox, Podcast Addict, Podchaser, RadioPublic, and TuneIn.This content is a production of OncLive; this OncLive On Air podcast episode is supported by funding, however, content is produced and independently developed by OncLive.
In this podcast, experts John V. Heymach, MD, PhD, and Anne S. Tsao, MD, MBA, FASCO, FACHE, discuss PD-1/CTLA-4, EGFR/PD-1, and DLL3 targeting bispecific antibodies, with a focus on thoracic malignancies.
Advanced practice providers discuss biomarker testing in patients with lung cancer. Listen in to learn from Beth Sandy, MSN, CRNP,FAPO, and Denise Rouse, MS, PA-C, about key biomarker testing in patients with lung cancer, including their thoughts on overcoming key barriers to testing, education of patients and caregivers, and improving equity in the application of biomarker testing in patients with lung cancer. Presenters: Beth Sandy, MSN, CRNP, FAPO Thoracic Oncology Nurse Practitioner Abramson Cancer Center University of Pennsylvania Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Denise Rouse, MS, PA-C Physician Assistant Thoracic Medical Oncology Department of Medicine, Section of Hematology/Oncology The University of Chicago Medicine & Biological Sciences Chicago, Illinois Link to full program: https://bit.ly/4rt1OCl Get access to all our new podcasts by subscribing to the Decera Clinical Education Oncology Podcast on Apple Podcasts, YouTube Music, or Spotify. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
Synopsis: At JPM 2026 in San Francisco, Alok Tayi welcomes Michelle Werner, CEO of Alltrna, to Biotech 2050 for a powerful conversation at the intersection of personal mission, platform biology, and rare-disease drug development. Michelle traces her two-decade career across Bristol Myers Squibb, AstraZeneca, and Novartis—and the moment everything changed when her child was diagnosed with a rare disease. That experience led her to Alltrna and its pioneering engineered tRNA platform, designed to correct nonsense mutations across hundreds—potentially thousands—of genetic disorders with a single therapeutic approach. Together, Alok and Michelle explore how tRNAs work, why “stop-codon disease” could redefine rare-disease classification, and how basket trials borrowed from oncology may accelerate development. They dive into delivery strategy, portfolio expansion into CNS and muscle disorders, regulatory innovation, and how AI is reshaping molecular design—offering a rare look at what it takes to build a first-in-class modality from the ground up. Biography: Michelle is a seasoned pharmaceutical executive with more than 20 years in the industry spanning commercial and research & development (R&D) responsibilities. Prior to Alltrna, Michelle served as Worldwide Franchise Head, Solid Tumors at Novartis Oncology, where she was responsible for delivering the disease area strategies across multiple tumors and led business development efforts resulting in a doubling of long-term portfolio value for the franchise. Previous to Novartis, Michelle was a senior leader at AstraZeneca and as Global Franchise Head in Hematology, she was critical in launching multiple indications worldwide for CALQUENCE®. Prior to this, Michelle was Head of US Oncology, where she led the business through dramatic growth in both team and revenue through eight-plus product launches. Previous to AstraZeneca, Michelle was with Bristol-Myers Squibb for 10 years in various positions of increasing responsibility including roles in sales, marketing, and market access in the US and UK, and above market in Europe (based in France) and global almost exclusively in oncology. Michelle started her professional career in R&D, working hands-on with patients at the Oncology Clinical Trials Unit at Harvard Medical School before moving into industry in clinical operations. Outside of her corporate responsibilities, Michelle is a wife and mother to three children and is a member of the rare disease community. She is currently serving a Board appointment for the non-profit organization Rare Disease Renegades, a purpose that fuels her passions both personally and professionally.
Send us a textIn this special Flashcast episode of the WTR Small-Cap Spotlight podcast, Tim Gerdeman sits down with WTR Healthcare analyst Robert Sassoon to discuss his Initiation of Coverage Report on Anixa Biosciences. Their conversation explores Anixa's two clinical‑stage programs—one, an innovative CAR‑T cell therapy for terminal ovarian cancer patients, and the other, a breast cancer vaccine designed for both treatment and prevention. They review Phase 1 results, upcoming 2026 milestones, and how Anixa differentiates itself through both its scientific platforms and disciplined financial management.
This content has been developed for healthcare professionals only. Patients who seek health information should consult with their physician or relevant patient advocacy groups.For the full presentation, downloadable Practice Aids, slides, and complete CME/EBAC information, and to apply for credit, please visit us at PeerView.com/THG865. CME/EBAC credit will be available until January 10, 2027.Precision Tactics With HER2-Targeting ADCs in HER2-Altered Solid Tumors: Candid Conversations and Clinical Consults In support of improving patient care, PVI, PeerView Institute for Medical Education, is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.SupportThis activity is supported by an educational grant from Daiichi Sankyo, Inc.Disclosure information is available at the beginning of the video presentation.
This content has been developed for healthcare professionals only. Patients who seek health information should consult with their physician or relevant patient advocacy groups.For the full presentation, downloadable Practice Aids, slides, and complete CME/EBAC information, and to apply for credit, please visit us at PeerView.com/THG865. CME/EBAC credit will be available until January 10, 2027.Precision Tactics With HER2-Targeting ADCs in HER2-Altered Solid Tumors: Candid Conversations and Clinical Consults In support of improving patient care, PVI, PeerView Institute for Medical Education, is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.SupportThis activity is supported by an educational grant from Daiichi Sankyo, Inc.Disclosure information is available at the beginning of the video presentation.
This content has been developed for healthcare professionals only. Patients who seek health information should consult with their physician or relevant patient advocacy groups.For the full presentation, downloadable Practice Aids, slides, and complete CME/EBAC information, and to apply for credit, please visit us at PeerView.com/THG865. CME/EBAC credit will be available until January 10, 2027.Precision Tactics With HER2-Targeting ADCs in HER2-Altered Solid Tumors: Candid Conversations and Clinical Consults In support of improving patient care, PVI, PeerView Institute for Medical Education, is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.SupportThis activity is supported by an educational grant from Daiichi Sankyo, Inc.Disclosure information is available at the beginning of the video presentation.
This content has been developed for healthcare professionals only. Patients who seek health information should consult with their physician or relevant patient advocacy groups.For the full presentation, downloadable Practice Aids, slides, and complete CME/EBAC information, and to apply for credit, please visit us at PeerView.com/THG865. CME/EBAC credit will be available until January 10, 2027.Precision Tactics With HER2-Targeting ADCs in HER2-Altered Solid Tumors: Candid Conversations and Clinical Consults In support of improving patient care, PVI, PeerView Institute for Medical Education, is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.SupportThis activity is supported by an educational grant from Daiichi Sankyo, Inc.Disclosure information is available at the beginning of the video presentation.
Solid tumors represent one of the largest and most challenging areas in cancer treatment. In this interview, GT Biopharma (NASDAQ: GTBP) CEO Michael Breen explains why the company is expanding its platform into solid tumors and how its NK engager technology is designed to activate the body's natural immune response.Breen discusses the science behind GTB-5550, why B7H3 is a compelling target across many solid tumors, and how preclinical results support the company's next steps. He also outlines key milestones from 2025 and what investors should watch as GT Biopharma moves toward clinical trials and data readouts in 2026.Learn more about GT Biopharma: https://www.gtbiopharma.com/Watch the full YouTube interview here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I7-Vd8PO8L0And follow us to stay updated: https://www.youtube.com/@GlobalOneMedia
Biochemist Lingyin Li survived breast cancer at just 30 and now works to harness the human immune system to fight cancers that have long evaded treatment. T cells, she says, are powerful cancer killers, but they can be oblivious. She and her lab colleagues have discovered a masking enzyme that squelches the immune system's “danger signals” and are now developing drugs to block that enzyme. She likens her work to an arms race between cancer and immunotherapy. “The cancers are not getting smarter, but we are,” Li tells host Russ Altman on this episode of Stanford Engineering's The Future of Everything podcast.Have a question for Russ? Send it our way in writing or via voice memo, and it might be featured on an upcoming episode. Please introduce yourself, let us know where you're listening from, and share your question. You can send questions to thefutureofeverything@stanford.edu.Episode Reference Links:Stanford Profile: Lingyin LiConnect With Us:Episode Transcripts >>> The Future of Everything WebsiteConnect with Russ >>> Threads / Bluesky / MastodonConnect with School of Engineering >>> Twitter/X / Instagram / LinkedIn / FacebookChapters:(00:00:00) IntroductionRuss Altman introduces guest Lingyin Li, a professor of biochemistry at Stanford University.(00:03:38) Research MotivationLingyin explains how her breast cancer diagnosis inspired her research.(00:04:31) How T-Cells WorkT-cell mechanisms and why they struggle to reach solid tumors.(00:05:38) Immune System OverviewInnate and adaptive immunity and how mutations make cancer recognizable.(00:07:28) Awakening the Immune SystemEfforts to stimulate innate immune cells to detect and expose tumors.(00:10:54) The Cancer SignalDiscovery of cancer-derived DNA signals that alert the immune system.(00:13:01) Cancer's Evasion MechanismHow tumors destroy immune signals to hide from detection.(00:14:26) ENPP1 EnzymeIdentification of ENPP1 as the enzyme enabling immune evasion.(00:15:22) Balancing Immunity and SafetyRole of ENPP1 in autoimmunity and the challenge of targeting it safely.(00:19:30) ENPP1 InhibitorsDevelopment of molecules to block ENPP1 and enhance immune signaling.(00:24:55) Preclinical FindingsThe promising results against aggressive solid tumors in animal studies(00:28:05) From Lab to ClinicThe progress toward FDA approval and preparation for human testing.(00:31:04) Future In a MinuteRapid-fire Q&A: innovation, collaboration, and the outlook for cancer treatment.(00:33:14) Conclusion Connect With Us:Episode Transcripts >>> The Future of Everything WebsiteConnect with Russ >>> Threads / Bluesky / MastodonConnect with School of Engineering >>>Twitter/X / Instagram / LinkedIn / Facebook Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
In today's episode, we had the pleasure of speaking with J. Thaddeus Beck, MD, FACP, about the FDA approval of pembrolizumab and berahyaluronidase alfa-pmph (subcutaneous pembrolizumab; Keytruda Qlex) for subcutaneous injection in adult and pediatric patients at least 12 years of age with solid tumors for which the intravenous formulation of pembrolizumab (Keytruda) is indicated.
Dr. Hope Rugo and Dr. Giuseppe Curigliano discuss recent developments in the field of bispecific antibodies for hematologic and solid tumors, including strategies to optimize the design and delivery of the immunotherapy. TRANSCRIPT Dr. Hope Rugo: Hello and welcome to By the Book, a podcast series from ASCO that features engaging conversations between editors and authors of the ASCO Educational Book. I am your host, Dr. Hope Rugo. I am the director of the Women's Cancers Program and division chief of breast medical oncology at the City of Hope Cancer Center. I am also the editor-in-chief of the Educational Book. Bispecific antibodies represent an innovative and advanced therapeutic platform in hematologic and solid tumors. And today, I am delighted to be joined by Dr. Giuseppe Curigliano to discuss the current landscape of bispecific antibodies and their potential to reshape the future of precision oncology. Dr. Curigliano was the last author of an ASCO Educational Book piece for 2025 titled, "Bispecific Antibodies in Hematologic and Solid Tumors: Current Landscape and Therapeutic Advances." Dr. Curigliano is a breast medical oncologist and the director of the Early Drug Development Division and chair of the Experimental Therapeutics Program at the European Institute of Oncology in Milan. He is also a full professor of medical oncology at the University of Milan. You can find our disclosures in the transcript of this episode. Dr. Curigliano, Giuseppe, welcome and thanks for being here. Dr. Giuseppe Curigliano: Thanks a lot for the invitation. Dr. Hope Rugo: Giuseppe, I would like to first ask you to provide some context for our listeners on how these novel therapeutics work. And then perhaps you could tell us about recent developments in the field of bispecific antibodies for oncology. We are at a time when antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) are all the rage and, trying to improve on the targeting of specific antigens, proteins, receptors in the field of oncology is certainly a hot and emerging topic. Dr. Giuseppe Curigliano: So, thanks a lot. I believe really it was very challenging to try to summarize all the bispecific antibodies that are under development in multiple solid tumors. So, the first thing that I would like to highlight is the context and the mechanism of action of bispecific antibodies. Bispecific antibodies represent a groundbreaking advancement in cancer immunotherapy, because these engineered molecules have the unique ability to target and simultaneously bind to two distinct antigens. That is why we call them bispecific. So typically, one antigen is expressed on the tumor cell and the other one is expressed on the immune effectors, like T-cell or natural killer cells. So this dual targeting mechanism offers several key advantages over conventional monoclonal antibodies because you can target at the same time the tumor antigen, downregulating the pathway of proliferation, and you can activate the immune system. So the primary mechanism through which bispecific antibodies exert their therapeutic effects are: First, T-cell redirecting. I mean, many bispecific antibodies are designed to engage tumor-associated antigens like epidermal growth factor receptor, HER2, on the cancer cell and a costimulatory molecule on the surface of T-cell. A typical target antigen on T-cell is CD3. So what does it mean? That you activate the immune system, immune cells will reach the tumor bed, and you have a dual effect. One is downregulating cell proliferation, the other one is activation of the immune system. This is really important in hematological malignancies, where we have a lot of bispecifics already approved, like acute lymphoblastic leukemia or non-Hodgkin lymphoma. The second, in fact, is the engagement of the tumor microenvironment. So, if you engage immune effector cells like NK cells or macrophages, usually the bispecific antibodies can exploit the immune system's ability to recognize and kill the immune cells, even if there is a lack of optimal antigen presentation. And finally, the last mechanism of action, this may have a role in the future, maybe in the early cancer setting, is overcoming immune evasion. So bispecific antibodies can overcome some of the immune evasion mechanisms that we see in cancer. For example, bispecific antibodies can target immune checkpoint receptors, like PD-L1 and CTLA-4. Actually, there is a bispecific under development in breast cancer that has a dual targeting on vascular endothelial growth factor receptor and on PD-L1. So you have a dual effect at the same time. So, what is really important, as a comment, is we need to focus first on the optimal format of the bispecific, the optimal half-life, the stability, because of course even if they are very efficient in inducing a response, they may give also a lot of toxicities. So in clinical trials already, we have several bispecifics approved. In solid tumors, very few, specifically amivantamab for non-small cell lung cancer, but we have a pipeline of almost 40 to 50 bispecifics under development in multiple solid tumors, and some of them are in the context of prospective randomized trials. Dr. Hope Rugo: So this is really a fascinating area and it's really exciting to see the expansion of the different targets for bispecific antibodies. One area that has intrigued me also is that some of the bispecifics actually will target different parts of the same receptor or the same protein, but presumably those will be used as a different strategy. It's interesting because we have seen that, for example, in targeting HER2. Dr. Giuseppe Curigliano: Oh, yes, of course. You may consider some bispecifics like margetuximab, I suppose, in which you can target specifically two different epitopes of the same antigen. This is really an example of how a bispecific can potentially be more active and downregulating, let us say, a pathway, by targeting two different domains of a specific target antigen. This is an important point. Of course, not all the bispecifics work this way, because some of the target antigen may dimerize, and so you have a family of target antigen; an example is epidermal growth factor receptor, in which you have HER1, HER2, HER3, and HER4. So some of them can inhibit the dimerization between one target antigen and the other one, in order to exert a more antiproliferative effect. But to be honest, the new generation of them are more targeting two different antigens, one on the tumor and one on the microenvironment, because according to the clinical data, this is a more efficient way to reduce proliferation and to activate the immune system. Dr. Hope Rugo: Really interesting, and I think it brings us to the next topic, which is really where bispecific antibodies have already shown success, and that is in hematologic malignancies where we have seen very interesting efficacy and these are being used in the clinic already. But the expansion of bispecific antibodies into solid tumors faces some key challenges. It's interesting because the challenges come in different shapes and forms. Tell us about some of those challenges and strategies to optimize bispecific antibody design, delivery, patient selection, and how we are going to use these agents in the right kind of clinical trials. Dr. Giuseppe Curigliano: This is really an excellent question because despite bispecific antibodies having shown a remarkable efficacy in hematological malignancies, their application in solid tumors may have some challenges. The first one is tumor heterogeneity. In hematological malignancy, you have a clear oncogene addiction. Let us say that 90% of the cells may express the same antigen. In solid tumors, it is not the same. Tumor heterogeneity is a typical characteristic of solid tumors, and you have high heterogeneity at the genetic, molecular, and phenotypic levels. So tumor cells can differ significantly from one another, even if within the same tumor. And this heterogeneity sometimes makes it difficult to identify a single target antigen that is universally expressed in an hematological malignancy. So furthermore, sometimes the antigen expressed on a tumor cell can be also present on the normal tissue. And so you may have a cross-targeting. So let's say, if you have a bispecific against epidermal growth factor receptor, this will target the tumor but will target also the skin with a lot of toxicity. The second challenge is the tumor microenvironment. The solid tumor microenvironment is really complex and often immunosuppressive. It is characterized by the presence of immunosuppressor cells like the T regulators, myeloid derived suppressor cells, and of course the extracellular matrix. All these factors hinder immune cell infiltration and also may reduce dramatically the effectiveness of bispecific antibodies. And as you know, there is also an hypoxic condition in the tumor. The other challenge is related to the poor tumor penetration. As you know also with antibody-drug conjugate, only 1 to 3% of the drug will arrive in the tumor bed. Unlike hematological malignancies where tumor cells are dispersed in the blood and easily accessible, the solid tumors have a lot of barriers, and so it means that tumor penetration can be very low. Finally, the vascularity also of the tumor can be different across solid tumors. That is why some bispecifics have a vascular endothelial growth factor receptor or vascular endothelial growth factor as a target. Of course, what do we have to do to overcome these challenges? First, we have to select the optimal antigen. So knowing very well the biology of cancer and the tumor-associated antigens can really select a subgroup of epitopes that are specifically overexpressed in cancer cells. And so we need to design bispecifics according to the tumor type. Second, optimize the antibody format. So there are numerous bispecific antibody formats. We can consider the dual variable domain immunoglobulin, we specified this in our paper. The single chain variable fragments, so FC variable fragments, and the diabodies that can enhance both binding affinity and stability. And finally, the last point, combination therapies. Because bispecific antibodies targeting immune checkpoint, we have many targeting PD-1 or PD-L1 or CTLA-4, combined eventually with other immune checkpoint inhibitors. And so you may have more immunostimulating effect. Dr. Hope Rugo: This is a fascinating field and it is certainly going to go far in the treatment of solid tumors. You know, I think there is some competition with what we have now for antibody-drug conjugates. Do you see that bispecifics will eventually become bispecific ADCs? Are we going to combine these bispecific antibodies with ADCs, with chemotherapy? What is the best combination strategy do you think looking forward? Dr. Giuseppe Curigliano: So, yes, we have a bispecific ADC. We have actually some bispecifics that are conjugated with a payload of chemotherapy. Some others are conjugated with immunoactivation agents like IL-2. One of the most effective strategies for enhancing bispecific activity is the combination therapy. So which type of combination can we do? First, bispecific antibodies plus checkpoint inhibitors. If you combine a bispecific with an immune checkpoint, like anti-PD-1, anti-PD-L1, or anti-CTLA-4, you have more activity because you have activation of T-cells, reduction of immunosuppressive effect, and of course, the capability of this bispecific to potentiate the activity of the immune checkpoint inhibitor. So, in my opinion, in a non-small cell lung cancer with an expression of PD-L1 more than 50%, if you give pembrolizumab plus a bispecific targeting PD-L1, you can really improve both response rate and median progression-free survival. Another combination is chemotherapy plus bispecific antibodies. Combining chemotherapy with bispecific can enhance the cytotoxic effect because chemotherapy induces immunogenic cell death, and then you boost with a bispecific in order to activate the immune system. Bispecific and CAR T-cells, until now, we believe that these are in competition, but this is not correct. Because CAR T-cells are designed to deliver an activation of the immune system with the same lymphocytes engineered of the patients, with a long-term effect. So I really do not believe that bispecifics are in competition with CAR T-cells because when you have a complete remission induced by CAR T-cell, the effect of this complete remission can last for years. The activity of a bispecific is a little bit different. So there are some studies actually combining CAR T-cells with bispecifics. For example, bispecific antibodies can direct CAR T-cells in the tumor microenvironment, improving their specificity and enhancing their therapeutic effect. And finally, monoclonal antibody plus bispecific is another next generation activity. Because if you use bispecific antibodies in combination with existing monoclonal antibodies like anti-HER2, you can potentially increase the immune response and enhance tumor cell targeting. In hematological malignancies, this has been already demonstrated and this approach has been particularly effective. Dr. Hope Rugo: That's just so fascinating, the whole idea that we have these monoclonal antibodies and now we are going to add them to bispecifics that we could maybe attach on different toxins to try and improve this, or even give them with different approaches. I suppose giving an ADC with a bispecific would sort of be similar to that idea of giving a monoclonal antibody with the bispecific. So it is certainly intriguing. We also will need to understand the toxicity and cost overall and how we are going to use these, the duration of treatment, the assessment of biomarkers. There are just so many different aspects that still need to be explored. And then with that idea, can you look ahead five or ten years from now, and tell us how you think bispecific antibodies will shape our next generation cancer therapies, how they will be incorporated into precision oncology, and the new combinations and approaches as we move forward that will help us tailor treatment for patients both with solid tumors and hematologic malignancies? Are we going to be giving these in early-stage disease in solid tumors? So far, the studies are primarily focusing on the metastatic setting, but obviously one of the goals when we have successful treatments is to move them into the early stage setting as quickly as possible. Dr. Giuseppe Curigliano: Let us try to look ahead five years rather than ten years, to be more realistic. So, personally I believe some bispecifics can potentially replace current approaches in specifically T-cell selected population. As we gather more data from ongoing clinical trials and we adopt a deeper understanding of the tumor immuno microenvironment, of course we may have potentially new achievement. A few days ago, we heard that bispecifics in triple negative breast cancer targeting VEGF and PD-L1 demonstrated an improvement in median progression-free survival. So, how to improve and to impact on clinical practice both in the metastatic and in the early breast cancer setting or solid tumor setting? First, personalized antigen selection. So we need to have the ability to tailor bispecific antibody therapy to the unique tumor profile of individual patients. So the more we understand the biology of cancers, the more we will be able to better target. Second, bispecific antibodies should be combined. I can see in the future a potential trial in which you combine a bispecific anti-PD-L1 and VEGF with immune checkpoint inhibitor selected also to the level of expression of PD-L1, because integration of antibody bispecific with a range of immunotherapies, and this cannot be only immune checkpoint inhibitors, but can be CAR T-cells, oncolytic viruses, also targeted therapy, will likely be a dominant theme in the coming years. This combination will be based on the specific molecular and immuno feature of the cancer of the patient. Then we need an enhanced delivery system. This is really important because you know now we have a next generation antibody. An example are the bicyclic. So you use FC fragment that are very short, with a low molecular weight, and this short fragment can be bispecific, so can target at the same time a target antigen and improving the immune system. And so the development of this novel delivery system, including also nanoparticles or engineered viral vectors, can enhance the penetration in the tumor bed and the bioavailability of bispecific antibodies. Importantly, we need to reduce toxicity. Until now, bispecifics are very toxic. So the more we are efficient in delivering in the tumor bed, the more we will reduce the risk of toxicity. So it will be mandatory to reduce off-target effects and to minimize toxicity. And finally, the expansion in new indication. So I really believe you raised an excellent point. We need to design studies in the neoadjuvant setting in order to better understand with multiple biopsies which is the effect on the tumor microenvironment and the tumor itself, and to generate hypotheses for potential trials or in the neoadjuvant setting or in those patients with residual disease. So, in my opinion, as we refine design, optimize patient selection, and explore new combination, in the future we will have more opportunity to integrate bispecifics in the standard of care. Dr. Hope Rugo: I think it is particularly helpful to hear what we are going to be looking for as we move forward to try and improve efficacy and reduce toxicity. And the ability to engineer these new antibodies and to more specifically target the right proteins and immune effectors is going to be critical, of course, moving forward, as well as individualizing therapy based on a specific tumor biology. Hearing your insights has been great, and it really has opened up a whole area of insight into the field of bispecifics, together with your excellent contribution to the ASCO Educational Book. Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts and background, as well as what we might see in the future on this podcast today. Dr. Giuseppe Curigliano: Thank you very much for the invitation and for this excellent interview. Dr. Hope Rugo: And thanks to our listeners for joining us today. You will find a link to the Ed Book article we discussed today in the transcript of this episode. It is also, of course, on the ASCO website, as well as on PubMed. Please join us again next month on By the Book for more insightful views on the key issues and innovations that are shaping modern oncology. Disclaimer: The purpose of this podcast is to educate and to inform. This is not a substitute for professional medical care and is not intended for use in the diagnosis or treatment of individual conditions. Guests on this podcast express their own opinions, experience and conclusions. Guest statements on the podcast do not express the opinions of ASCO. The mention of any product, service, organization, activity or therapy should not be construed as an ASCO endorsement. Follow today's speakers: Dr. Hope Rugo @hope.rugo Dr. Giuseppe Curigliano @curijoey Follow ASCO on social media: @ASCO on X (formerly Twitter) ASCO on Bluesky ASCO on Facebook ASCO on LinkedIn Disclosures: Dr. Hope Rugo: Honoraria: Mylan/Viatris, Chugai Pharma Consulting/Advisory Role: Napo Pharmaceuticals, Sanofi, Bristol Myer Research Funding (Inst.): OBI Pharma, Pfizer, Novartis, Lilly, Merck, Daiichi Sankyo, AstraZeneca, Gilead Sciences, Hoffman La-Roche AG/Genentech, In., Stemline Therapeutics, Ambryx Dr. Giuseppe Curigliano: Leadership: European Society for Medical Oncology, European Society of Breast Cancer Specialists, ESMO Open, European Society for Medical Oncology Honoraria: Ellipses Pharma Consulting or Advisory Role: Roche/Genentech, Pfizer, Novartis, Lilly, Foundation Medicine, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Samsung, AstraZeneca, Daiichi-Sankyo, Boerigher, GSK, Seattle Genetics, Guardant Health, Veracyte, Celcuity, Hengrui Therapeutics, Menarini, Merck, Exact Sciences, Blueprint Medicines, Gilead Sciences Speakers' Bureau: Roche/Genentech, Novartis, Pfizer, Lilly, Foundation Medicine, Samsung, Daiichi Sankyo, Seagen, Menarini, Gilead Sciences, Exact Sciences Research Funding: Merck Travel, Accommodations, Expenses: Roche/Genentech, Pfizer, Daiichi Sankyo, AstraZeneca
A panel of oncology pharmacists discusses the role oflifileucel in metastatic melanoma and other considerations for using cellular therapy in solid tumors. Featuring Brooke Adams, PharmD, BCOP Natalie Brumwell, PharmD, BCOP Bryant A. Clemons, PharmD, BCOP In a special co-branded episode between Oncology On theGo, hosted by CancerNetwork®, and the American Society for Transplantation and Cellular Therapy (ASTCT)'s program, ASTCT Talks, for American Pharmacists Month, a panel of oncology pharmacists discussed optimal strategies for using cellular therapies as treatment for patients with solid tumors. The panel included Brooke Adams, PharmD, BCOP, a board-certified oncology pharmacist specializing in stem cell transplantation and cellular therapy at the Orlando Health Cancer Institute in Orlando, Florida; Natalie Brumwell, PharmD, BCOP, a board-certified oncology pharmacist specializing in cellular therapy at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York, New York; and Bryant A. Clemons, PharmD, a board-certified oncology pharmacist specializing in hematology, blood and marrow transplantation, and cellular therapy at the University of Kentucky's Markey Cancer Center in Lexington, Kentucky. The discussion focused on the use of the first commercially available tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) for patients with unresectable or metastatic melanoma, lifileucel (Amtagvi), which the FDA granted accelerated approval status to in February 2024.1 The panelists first reviewed supporting data from the phase 2 C-144-01 trial (NCT02360579), in which lifileucel demonstrated an objective response rate of 31.5% (95% CI, 21.1%-43.4%), and a median duration of response that was not reached (NR; 95% CI, 4.1 months-NR) at the time of the approval. Additionally, the group highlighted considerations for dosinginterleukin-2 (IL-2), including management of toxicities and when to hold or discontinue further doses. Following a thorough breakdown of the proper conditions for using lifileucel in melanoma, the panelists concluded by discussing how to build upon an “exciting time for cellular therapy in solid tumors.” As part of optimizing the dosing of lifileucel and other cellular therapies in these patient populations, the experts exchanged ideas on how practices can collaborate across institutions and departments to expand access to novel treatments while helping providers develop comfort in administering these agents. Reference FDA grants accelerated approval to lifileucel for unresectable or metastatic melanoma. News release. FDA. February 16, 2024. Accessed September 30, 2025. https://tinyurl.com/2kweca6x
In this inspiring episode, Dr. Felipe Gálvez-Cancino, group leader at Oxford's Center for Immuno-Oncology, walks us through his team's groundbreaking research on macrophages, T cells, and immune regulation in solid tumors. Tracing his path from early cancer vaccine work to advanced antibody-dependent cellular phagocytosis (ADCP), Felipe shares how his team is working to reprogram tumor-associated macrophages to more efficiently eliminate cancer cells.He explains how regulatory CD4+ T cells suppress both T cell and macrophage responses within tumors and how removing that suppression can supercharge phagocytic function. We also hear how his lab is leveraging mouse models of hepatocellular carcinoma, clinical samples, and modern molecular biology techniques (like in vivo liver transfection and CRISPR-ready plasmid engineering) to study intratumor heterogeneity and antigen spreading.Felipe also reflects on the value of early molecular biology training—like mastering gigapreps—and emphasizes the importance of curiosity, persistence, and collaboration in scientific careers. Whether you're interested in cancer biology, immunotherapy, or just passionate about translating discoveries into new therapies, this episode offers both technical depth and motivational insight. Subscribe to get future episodes as they drop and if you like what you're hearing we hope you'll share a review or recommend the series to a colleague. Visit the Invitrogen School of Molecular Biology to access helpful molecular biology resources and educational content, and please share this resource with anyone you know working in molecular biology. For Research Use Only. Not for use in diagnostic procedures.
In a special co-branded episode between Oncology On the Go, hosted by CancerNetwork®, and the American Society for Transplantation and Cellular Therapy (ASTCT)'s program, ASTCT Talks, for American Pharmacists Month, a panel of oncology pharmacists discussed optimal strategies for using cellular therapies as treatment for patients with solid tumors. The panel included Brooke Adams, PharmD, BCOP, a board-certified oncology pharmacist specializing in stem cell transplantation and cellular therapy at the Orlando Health Cancer Institute in Orlando, Florida; Natalie Brumwell, PharmD, BCOP, a board-certified oncology pharmacist specializing in cellular therapy at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York, New York; and Bryant A. Clemons, PharmD, a board-certified oncology pharmacist specializing in hematology, blood and marrow transplantation, and cellular therapy at the University of Kentucky's Markey Cancer Center in Lexington, Kentucky. The discussion focused on the use of the first commercially available tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) for patients with unresectable or metastatic melanoma, lifileucel (Amtagvi), which the FDA granted accelerated approval status to in February 2024.1 The panelists first reviewed supporting data from the phase 2 C-144-01 trial (NCT02360579), in which lifileucel demonstrated an objective response rate of 31.5% (95% CI, 21.1%-43.4%), and a median duration of response that was not reached (NR; 95% CI, 4.1 months-NR) at the time of the approval. Additionally, the group highlighted considerations for dosing interleukin-2 (IL-2), including management of toxicities and when to hold or discontinue further doses. Following a thorough breakdown of the proper conditions for using lifileucel in melanoma, the panelists concluded by discussing how to build upon an “exciting time for cellular therapy in solid tumors.” As part of optimizing the dosing of lifileucel and other cellular therapies in these patient populations, the experts exchanged ideas on how practices can collaborate across institutions and departments to expand access to novel treatments while helping providers develop comfort in administering these agents. Reference FDA grants accelerated approval to lifileucel for unresectable or metastatic melanoma. News release. FDA. February 16, 2024. Accessed September 30, 2025. https://tinyurl.com/2kweca6x
Ming-Wei Chen and Fangheng Zhou, the scientists behind RephImmune, join hosts Lynnsey and Matthew to discuss how their biotech startup is developing a next-generation cell therapy platform designed to overcome the limitations of CAR-T. With a focus on ovarian cancer, RephImmune's RACE-T technology targets solid tumors by re-engineering immune cells to better locate, penetrate, and survive in the harsh tumor environment. Ming-Wei and Fangheng share their personal motivations, the science behind their approach, and how programs like SCbio DRIVE are helping them move closer to clinical trials. Tune in now!
Sabah Oney, CEO of Philadelphia and San Francisco-based Dispatch Biotherapeutics, on engineering CAR-T cells that can kill solid tumors.
BUFFALO, NY - July 29, 2025 – A new #research paper was #published in Volume 16 of Oncotarget on July 25, 2025, titled “Comprehensive genomic profiling of over 10,000 advanced solid tumors.” In this study, led by Jean-Paul De La O from Exact Sciences Corporation, researchers analyzed data from over 10,000 solid tumor samples from patients with advanced cancer and found that more than 90 percent contained genetic changes that could guide treatment. This work demonstrates the growing impact of large-scale tumor DNA and RNA testing on patient care. The researchers retrospectively analyzed OncoExTra assay information for 31 types of cancer, including breast, colorectal, prostate, lung, and ovarian cancers. Their analysis revealed that nearly a third of patients had alterations associated with approved drugs for their specific cancer, while another third had changes linked to therapies approved for other cancers. These results show that detailed genetic profiling could expand treatment choices. “Biomarkers associated with on- or off-label FDA-approved therapies were detected in 29.2% and 28.0% of samples, respectively.” Another relevant discovery was that many important mutations occurred at very low levels, which are often missed by simpler tests. By using a broad and highly sensitive approach, the scientists were able to identify these rare mutations. They also reported that 7.5 percent of samples carried gene fusions, unusual genetic events that can drive cancer growth. Such findings can be critical in selecting therapies that specifically target these abnormalities. The study also highlighted the value of RNA sequencing in detecting fusion events that traditional DNA tests might miss. Prostate cancer and certain sarcomas showed particularly high rates of these fusion alterations. This type of information can refine cancer diagnosis and improve therapy planning. In addition, the researchers identified changes in several major cancer-related pathways, including those that control cell growth, DNA repair, and immune system response. Alterations in these pathways can point to newer treatment options, such as immunotherapy or drugs designed to block specific cell signals. Overall, this study shows that comprehensive genomic profiling can guide more personalized cancer care by identifying mutations, gene fusions, and other molecular patterns. Advanced testing methods like the OncoExTra assay reveal treatment opportunities even in advanced cancers, ensuring that subtle but important genetic changes are detected. DOI - https://doi.org/10.18632/oncotarget.28757 Correspondence to - Jean-Paul De La O - jdelao@exactsciences.com Video short - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=awiRhDfiMTE Sign up for free Altmetric alerts about this article - https://oncotarget.altmetric.com/details/email_updates?id=10.18632%2Foncotarget.28757 Subscribe for free publication alerts from Oncotarget - https://www.oncotarget.com/subscribe/ Keywords - cancer, solid tumors, comprehensive genomic profiling, matched therapy, gene fusions, limit of detection To learn more about Oncotarget, please visit https://www.oncotarget.com and connect with us: Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/Oncotarget/ X - https://twitter.com/oncotarget Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/oncotargetjrnl/ YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@OncotargetJournal LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/oncotarget Pinterest - https://www.pinterest.com/oncotarget/ Reddit - https://www.reddit.com/user/Oncotarget/ Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/0gRwT6BqYWJzxzmjPJwtVh MEDIA@IMPACTJOURNALS.COM
You've probably heard of CAR-T cells, a type of immune cells taken from someone's body, grown up in a lab and trained to attack their cancer. CAR-Ts are known to be good for treating blood cancers like leukemia, and for … Will solid tumors now be treated with CAR-T cells? Elizabeth Tracey reports Read More »
For the first time CAR-T cells, a highly activated type of immune cell, have been used with some success to treat stomach cancer, a so-called solid tumor. William Nelson, director of the Kimmel Cancer Center at Johns Hopkins, says solid … Why has it been so hard to use CAR-T cells to treat solid tumors? Elizabeth Tracey reports Read More »
Please visit answersincme.com/DDP860 to participate, download slides and supporting materials, complete the post test, and obtain credit. In this activity, an expert in oncology discusses human epidermal growth factor receptor 3 (HER3)–directed antibody–drug conjugates (ADCs) for the treatment of patients with advanced solid tumors. Upon completion of this activity, participants should be better able to: Explain the rationale for the pan-tumor use of HER3-directed treatment for patients with locally advanced or metastatic solid tumors; Review clinical trials of investigational HER3-directed ADCs in previously treated patients with advanced solid tumors; and Outline criteria that may guide the selection of HER3-directed ADCs to treat advanced solid tumors, based on available evidence.
BUFFALO, NY – June 20, 2025 – A new #review was #published in Volume 16 of Oncotarget on June 10, 2025, titled “Beyond DNA damage response: Immunomodulatory attributes of CHEK2 in solid tumors.” In this paper, led by first author Helen Qian and corresponding author Crismita Dmello from Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, researchers compiled growing evidence that the CHEK2 gene, long known for its role in repairing DNA damage, may also influence how tumors respond to immunotherapy. Their analysis suggests that problems in CHEK2 function might make cancer cells more vulnerable to immune system attacks, highlighting a new opportunity to improve treatment outcomes in solid tumors. Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have transformed cancer treatment; however, they are effective in only a subset of patients. This review suggests that tumors with reduced CHEK2 activity may accumulate more mutations that produce signals the immune system can recognize. These signals, known as neoantigens, help immune cells identify and destroy cancer cells more effectively. The review connects this process not only to CHEK2's established role in the DNA damage response but also to a newly proposed function in shaping the immune environment of tumors. CHEK2 normally helps maintain genomic stability by enabling precise DNA repair. When this function is lost, cells rely on more error-prone repair methods, leading to additional mutations. These mutations can increase tumor mutational burden, which has been linked to better outcomes with immunotherapy. Beyond DNA repair, the review highlights a second mechanism: activation of the cGAS-STING pathway. This pathway detects fragments of damaged DNA and triggers inflammation that attracts immune cells to the tumor. The authors highlight studies where CHEK2-deficient tumors responded better to PD-1 inhibitors, a common type of immune checkpoint inhibitor. In both lab models and early-stage clinical settings, CHEK2 loss was associated with increased infiltration of CD8+ T cells—immune cells essential for attacking cancer cells. In cancers such as glioblastoma and renal cell carcinoma, which are typically resistant to immunotherapy, reduced CHEK2 expression was linked with more favorable immune activity and higher expression of interferon-related genes. The compiled evidence points to CHEK2 as a potential biomarker for identifying patients likely to respond to immunotherapy. In addition, combining CHEK2 inhibitors with existing immunotherapies may enhance anti-tumor effects, particularly in cancers with limited treatment options. The review notes that some clinical trials using the CHEK1/2 inhibitor prexasertib alongside immune checkpoint therapies have already shown promising early results. “The initial results from this Phase I clinical trial support the immunomodulatory role of CHEK2 expression and even suggest CHEK2 potentiates immunosuppression.” Although more research is needed to confirm these mechanisms and improve treatment approaches, this review underscores the expanding role of DNA repair genes like CHEK2—not only in maintaining genome integrity but also in helping the immune system fight cancer. DOI - https://doi.org/10.18632/oncotarget.28740 Correspondence to - Crismita Dmello - stellacpak@outlook.com Video short - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C26pEBc0itk Subscribe for free publication alerts from Oncotarget - https://www.oncotarget.com/subscribe/ To learn more about Oncotarget, please visit https://www.oncotarget.com and connect with us: Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/Oncotarget/ X - https://twitter.com/oncotarget Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/oncotargetjrnl/ YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@OncotargetJournal LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/oncotarget Pinterest - https://www.pinterest.com/oncotarget/ Reddit - https://www.reddit.com/user/Oncotarget/ Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/0gRwT6BqYWJzxzmjPJwtVh MEDIA@IMPACTJOURNALS.COM
This week on The Beat, CTSNet Editor-in-Chief Joel Dunning speaks with Dr. Nina Fuller-Shavel, co-chair of the British Society for Integrative Oncology (BSIO) from 2021 to 2023 and current co-chair of the BSIO Clinical Practice and Education Committee, about integrative oncology. Chapters 00:00 Intro 01:29 Integrative Medicine 09:13 Bar Dislocation, Pectus 10:53 Effective Circulating Volume Fraction 13:14 Repair vs Replacement, Edge-to-Edge 16:14 Relaxed TAVI Age Threshold? 18:14 Supravalvar Aortic Stenosis Transaxillary 20:09 How-To, AAE Tricuspid Repair 21:49 Modified Robotic Tracheobronchoplasty 23:34 Dr. Fuller-Shavel, Integrative Oncology 56:21 Upcoming Events 58:28 Closing They discuss what integrative oncology entails, mistletoe therapy, oncothermia, and the innovative integrative oncology app called Oncio. They also explore guidelines relating to this topic, nutrition, and immune checkpoint inhibitors. Dr. Fuller-Shavel also provides recommendations for supporting patients' mindfulness during cancer treatment. Joel also highlights recent JANS articles on bar dislocation after pectus excavatum repair, effective circulating volume fraction in Type A aortic dissection, surgical mitral valve repair vs replacement after failed mitral transcatheter edge-to-edge repair, and if the age threshold for TAVI can be relaxed to below 65 years. In addition, Joel explores minimally invasive transaxillary repair of supravalvar aortic stenosis, how to perform an aortic annulus enlargement with tricuspid repair, and modified robotic-assisted tracheobronchoplasty in a patient with severe calcific mediastinal lymphadenopathy. Before closing, he highlights upcoming events in CT surgery. JANS Items Mentioned 1.) Bar Dislocation After Pectus Excavatum Repair: A Systematic Review of Risk Factors, Stabilization Techniques, and Management Strategies 2.) The Effective Circulating Volume Fraction in Type A Aortic Dissection: A New Risk Factor? 3.) Surgical Mitral Valve Repair vs Replacement After Failed Mitral Transcatheter Edge-to-Edge Repair: The CUTTING-EDGE Registry 4.) Could the Age Threshold for TAVI be Relaxed to Below 65 Years? Pros and Cons CTSNet Content Mentioned 1.) Minimally Invasive Transaxillary Repair of Supravalvar Aortic Stenosis 2.) How to Perform an Aortic Annulus Enlargement With Tricuspid Repair 3.) Modified Robotic-Assisted Tracheobronchoplasty in a Patient With Severe Calcific Mediastinal Lymphadenopathy Other Items Mentioned 1.) British Society for Integrative Oncology 2.) National Center for Integrative Oncology 3.) Integrative Oncology Approaches to Supporting Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor Treatment of Solid Tumors 4.) Aortic Valve Replacement Series 5.) Career Center 6.) CTSNet Events Calendar Disclaimer The information and views presented on CTSNet.org represent the views of the authors and contributors of the material and not of CTSNet. Please review our full disclaimer page here.
This content has been developed for healthcare professionals only. Patients who seek health information should consult with their physician or relevant patient advocacy groups.For the full presentation, downloadable Practice Aids, slides, and complete CME/MOC information, and to apply for credit, please visit us at PeerView.com/KAQ865. CME/MOC credit will be available until May 27, 2026.From Innovation to Implementation: Unlocking the Full Potential of Antibody-Drug Conjugates in Solid Tumors In support of improving patient care, PVI, PeerView Institute for Medical Education, is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.SupportThis activity is supported by independent educational grants from AstraZeneca, Daiichi Sankyo, Inc., and Gilead Sciences, Inc.Disclosure information is available at the beginning of the video presentation.
This content has been developed for healthcare professionals only. Patients who seek health information should consult with their physician or relevant patient advocacy groups.For the full presentation, downloadable Practice Aids, slides, and complete CME/MOC information, and to apply for credit, please visit us at PeerView.com/KAQ865. CME/MOC credit will be available until May 27, 2026.From Innovation to Implementation: Unlocking the Full Potential of Antibody-Drug Conjugates in Solid Tumors In support of improving patient care, PVI, PeerView Institute for Medical Education, is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.SupportThis activity is supported by independent educational grants from AstraZeneca, Daiichi Sankyo, Inc., and Gilead Sciences, Inc.Disclosure information is available at the beginning of the video presentation.
PeerView Kidney & Genitourinary Diseases CME/CNE/CPE Video Podcast
This content has been developed for healthcare professionals only. Patients who seek health information should consult with their physician or relevant patient advocacy groups.For the full presentation, downloadable Practice Aids, slides, and complete CME/MOC information, and to apply for credit, please visit us at PeerView.com/KAQ865. CME/MOC credit will be available until May 27, 2026.From Innovation to Implementation: Unlocking the Full Potential of Antibody-Drug Conjugates in Solid Tumors In support of improving patient care, PVI, PeerView Institute for Medical Education, is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.SupportThis activity is supported by independent educational grants from AstraZeneca, Daiichi Sankyo, Inc., and Gilead Sciences, Inc.Disclosure information is available at the beginning of the video presentation.
PeerView Kidney & Genitourinary Diseases CME/CNE/CPE Audio Podcast
This content has been developed for healthcare professionals only. Patients who seek health information should consult with their physician or relevant patient advocacy groups.For the full presentation, downloadable Practice Aids, slides, and complete CME/MOC information, and to apply for credit, please visit us at PeerView.com/KAQ865. CME/MOC credit will be available until May 27, 2026.From Innovation to Implementation: Unlocking the Full Potential of Antibody-Drug Conjugates in Solid Tumors In support of improving patient care, PVI, PeerView Institute for Medical Education, is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.SupportThis activity is supported by independent educational grants from AstraZeneca, Daiichi Sankyo, Inc., and Gilead Sciences, Inc.Disclosure information is available at the beginning of the video presentation.
This content has been developed for healthcare professionals only. Patients who seek health information should consult with their physician or relevant patient advocacy groups.For the full presentation, downloadable Practice Aids, slides, and complete CME/MOC information, and to apply for credit, please visit us at PeerView.com/KAQ865. CME/MOC credit will be available until May 27, 2026.From Innovation to Implementation: Unlocking the Full Potential of Antibody-Drug Conjugates in Solid Tumors In support of improving patient care, PVI, PeerView Institute for Medical Education, is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.SupportThis activity is supported by independent educational grants from AstraZeneca, Daiichi Sankyo, Inc., and Gilead Sciences, Inc.Disclosure information is available at the beginning of the video presentation.
In today's episode, supported by Exact Sciences, we had the pleasure of speaking with Eric Christenson, MD, about the Oncodetect test, which is available for use in molecular residual disease detection in patients with solid tumors. Dr Christenson is an assistant professor of oncology at the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine in Baltimore, Maryland. In our exclusive interview, Dr Christenson discussed the capabilities of Oncodetect, its clinical applications, key findings from the Alpha-CORRECT study, and the prognostic value of this test.
Daniel Getts, the CEO and Founder of Myeloid Therapeutics is focused on the role of myeloid cells in the immune response to solid tumors. These cells are the first responders in the immune system and play a crucial role in bridging the innate and adaptive immune response. The Myeloid Therapeutics' mRNA technology activates myeloid cells in tumors, making the tumor microenvironment hot and attracting other immune cells to fight the cancer. Daniel explains, "The ability to harness our immune systems has revolutionized how we treat cancer. Unfortunately, we still have a long way to go, and if you think about some of the worst of the worst cancers, such as pancreatic cancer, liver cancer, and so on, immunotherapy has still not gotten us to a place where we can solve this. It's our mission at Myeloid Therapeutics to overcome these challenges. We've uncovered a lot of really interesting things about these cancers in the last 20 years, and we've been harnessing that knowledge." "Myeloid cells are at the heart of the immune system. They're the first responders. So, if you have an infection or bump your knee, these cells are immediately called to the site to wall off and prevent any more damage. However, they also serve as the bridge to adaptive immunity, the T cells and the B cells, which are also important for integrating an immune response. In the context of COVID vaccines, we talk about antibodies and T cells, it's the myeloid cells that are essential. In the context of what we've been learning, immunotherapy, up until recently, had been very focused on T cells and how to short-circuit the whole system just by using or activating those cells to kill cancer. And what we're starting to learn is to harness the full capability of our own immune systems, you've got to go back to the start. You've got to harness the myeloid compartment so you can orchestrate all immune elements to kill cancer." #MyeloidTherapeutics #MyeloidCells #ImmuneSystem #SolidTumors #Cancer #ImmuneResponse #Oncology #TumorMicroenvironment myeloidtx.com Download the transcript here
Daniel Getts, the CEO and Founder of Myeloid Therapeutics, is focused on the role of myeloid cells in the immune response to solid tumors. These cells are the first responders in the immune system and play a crucial role in bridging the innate and adaptive immune response. The Myeloid Therapeutics' mRNA technology activates myeloid cells in tumors, making the tumor microenvironment hot and attracting other immune cells to fight the cancer. Daniel explains, "The ability to harness our immune systems has revolutionized how we treat cancer. Unfortunately, we still have a long way to go, and if you think about some of the worst of the worst cancers, such as pancreatic cancer, liver cancer, and so on, immunotherapy has still not gotten us to a place where we can solve this. It's our mission at Myeloid Therapeutics to overcome these challenges. We've uncovered a lot of really interesting things about these cancers in the last 20 years, and we've been harnessing that knowledge." "Myeloid cells are at the heart of the immune system. They're the first responders. So, if you have an infection or bump your knee, these cells are immediately called to the site to wall off and prevent any more damage. However, they also serve as the bridge to adaptive immunity, the T cells and the B cells, which are also important for integrating an immune response. In the context of COVID vaccines, we talk about antibodies and T cells, it's the myeloid cells that are essential. In the context of what we've been learning, immunotherapy, up until recently, had been very focused on T cells and how to short-circuit the whole system just by using or activating those cells to kill cancer. And what we're starting to learn is to harness the full capability of our own immune systems, you've got to go back to the start. You've got to harness the myeloid compartment so you can orchestrate all immune elements to kill cancer." #MyeloidTherapeutics #MyeloidCells #ImmuneSystem #SolidTumors #Cancer #ImmuneResponse #Oncology #TumorMicroenvironment myeloidtx.com Listen to the podcast here
Will Ho, President, CEO, and Co-Founder of IN8bio, a company developing next-generation cellular therapies using gamma delta T cells, which play a unique role in bridging the innate and adaptive immune systems. GDT cell therapies may have reduced side effects compared to other T cell therapies as they can more selectively target tumor cells while sparing healthy tissue. IN8bio is conducting clinical trials using autologous and allogeneic gamma delta T cells for leukemia and glioblastoma with the goal of eliminating the cancer. Will explains, "As you probably are aware, our immune system is generally broken down into two halves. One is the innate or the immediate portion of the system, which is why we're called IN8bio, the gamma delta T cells, which are considered innate immune cells. On the other, the adaptive is the memory part of our immune system. The gamma delta T cells bridge between both the innate and the adaptive. They actually have features across both. In particular, one of their natural functions is actually to discriminate and to distinguish between those cells that are healthy and safe versus those that are transformed or should be eliminated. That's the very challenge of cancer cells. At the end of the day, they're our own cells, and the gamma delta T cells have a unique ability to distinguish between what should be safe and left alone versus those cells that they should kill." "With the CAR T therapies, we have genetically engineered specific targets such as CD 19 or DPMA into an alpha-beta T cell - somewhat of a release and let it go. Those cells go and seek out every cell in the body that expresses its specific target and kills it. I kind of half-heartedly joke that it's a little bit like Terminator- once you let it go, it seeks its target to try to kill it, no matter the secondary damage. In many cases, we've had numerous toxicities, some of which have resulted in patient death. The gamma delta T cells are more nuanced in its approach. We have created CAR T, specifically for the biology of gamma delta T cells." "Early preclinical work shows they can discriminate between the leukemic cells that should be eliminated and the healthy tissue. This will become increasingly important as we try to target solid tumors. Solid tumors is a market that's nine times bigger than that of leukemias and lymphomas. It's challenging because the tumors, at the end of the day, are intertwined in an organ. Most likely, we need to keep those organs, whether they're your brain like in glioblastoma that we're targeting, or lung cancer or pancreatic cancer and others, we need to be able to discriminate and pick out the healthy tissue versus the tumor tissue because we can't just completely ablate the organ." #IN8bio #CancerZero #Immunotherapy #Immunology #CancerResearch #TCellEngagers #GDTCells #CART #CellTherapy #GeneTherapy #Pharmaceuticals #BioTech #ClinicalResearch IN8bio.com Download the transcript here
Will Ho, President, CEO, and Co-Founder of IN8bio, a company developing next-generation cellular therapies using gamma delta T cells, which play a unique role in bridging the innate and adaptive immune systems. GDT cell therapies may have reduced side effects compared to other T cell therapies as they can more selectively target tumor cells while sparing healthy tissue. IN8bio is conducting clinical trials using autologous and allogeneic gamma delta T cells for leukemia and glioblastoma with the goal of eliminating the cancer. Will explains, "As you probably are aware, our immune system is generally broken down into two halves. One is the innate or the immediate portion of the system, which is why we're called IN8bio, the gamma delta T cells, which are considered innate immune cells. On the other, the adaptive is the memory part of our immune system. The gamma delta T cells bridge between both the innate and the adaptive. They actually have features across both. In particular, one of their natural functions is actually to discriminate and to distinguish between those cells that are healthy and safe versus those that are transformed or should be eliminated. That's the very challenge of cancer cells. At the end of the day, they're our own cells, and the gamma delta T cells have a unique ability to distinguish between what should be safe and left alone versus those cells that they should kill." "With the CAR T therapies, we have genetically engineered specific targets such as CD 19 or DPMA into an alpha-beta T cell - somewhat of a release and let it go. Those cells go and seek out every cell in the body that expresses its specific target and kills it. I kind of half-heartedly joke that it's a little bit like Terminator- once you let it go, it seeks its target to try to kill it, no matter the secondary damage. In many cases, we've had numerous toxicities, some of which have resulted in patient death. The gamma delta T cells are more nuanced in its approach. We have created CAR T, specifically for the biology of gamma delta T cells." "Early preclinical work shows they can discriminate between the leukemic cells that should be eliminated and the healthy tissue. This will become increasingly important as we try to target solid tumors. Solid tumors is a market that's nine times bigger than that of leukemias and lymphomas. It's challenging because the tumors, at the end of the day, are intertwined in an organ. Most likely, we need to keep those organs, whether they're your brain like in glioblastoma that we're targeting, or lung cancer or pancreatic cancer and others, we need to be able to discriminate and pick out the healthy tissue versus the tumor tissue because we can't just completely ablate the organ." #IN8bio #CancerZero #Immunotherapy #Immunology #CancerResearch #TCellEngagers #GDTCells #CART #CellTherapy #GeneTherapy #Pharmaceuticals #BioTech #ClinicalResearch IN8bio.com Listen to the podcast here
“The most effective therapies for solid tumors are also the most toxic — and we need to fix that,” says Dr. John Connolly, chief scientific officer of the Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy. In this episode of the Vanguards of Health Care podcast, Connolly tells Bloomberg Intelligence pharmaceutical analyst Sam Fazeli why managing toxicity is the key to unlocking CAR-T’s potential in solid tumors. They explore the rise of in vivo cell therapies, evolving views on the tumor microenvironment and why foundational cancer vaccines may shape the future of all immunotherapy. Connolly also shares the clinical trials he’s watching closely, the ones that could flip the script on cancer care.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Robert Den, Chief Medical Officer at Alpha Tau Medical, is changing cancer treatment using their Alpha DaRT technology to deliver a potent form of alpha radiation directly into solid tumors with minimal side effects. There is potential for the Alpha DaRT to be combined with immunotherapy and chemotherapy to further invoke an immune response. This one-time alpha radiation treatment has shown the ability to treat all solid tumors, only limited by the ability to deliver the Alpha DaRT directly to the tumor. Robert explains, "So alpha radiation is one of the three types of radiation that occur naturally, and it's been known as a very potent form of radiation for several decades now. The challenge with alpha radiation in the treatment of patients with localized disease and with solid tumors, meaning tumors not like leukemias or lymphomas but more like pancreas, lung, and prostate cancer, is that the alpha particles themselves aren't only able to travel a very short distance inside tissue or inside the cancer itself." "Before Alpha Tau and the Alpha DaRT technology, there was no pragmatic way to use this super potent and very safe type of radiation because you could not put enough alpha particles inside a tumor to cover the tumor with the radiation dose. What Alpha DaRT technology does is rely on the movement of what's called alpha-emitting daughter atoms." "So essentially, we take a biocompatible inert metal seed, which means that if you were to put this seed into the body, there would be no immune effect. Patients could have it inside them for the entirety of their life. Essentially, what we do is we cover this seed with a radiopharmaceutical called Radium-224. We just put Radium-224 on the outside of the seed. Then, we insert it either through a minimally invasive approach or using a different endoscopic approach inside the tumor directly. So now we have the seed covered with the radium inside the tumor, and this is basically where the magic happens." #AlphaTauMedical #Cancer #TargetedRadiation #ClinicalResearch #RadiationOncology #Oncology #CancerTreatment #AlphaRadiation alphatau.com Download the transcript here
Robert Den, Chief Medical Officer at Alpha Tau Medical, is changing cancer treatment using their Alpha DaRT technology to deliver a potent form of alpha radiation directly into solid tumors with minimal side effects. There is potential for the Alpha DaRT to be combined with immunotherapy and chemotherapy to further invoke an immune response. This one-time alpha radiation treatment has shown the ability to treat all solid tumors, only limited by the ability to deliver the Alpha DaRT directly to the tumor. Robert explains, "So alpha radiation is one of the three types of radiation that occur naturally, and it's been known as a very potent form of radiation for several decades now. The challenge with alpha radiation in the treatment of patients with localized disease and with solid tumors, meaning tumors not like leukemias or lymphomas but more like pancreas, lung, and prostate cancer, is that the alpha particles themselves aren't only able to travel a very short distance inside tissue or inside the cancer itself." "Before Alpha Tau and the Alpha DaRT technology, there was no pragmatic way to use this super potent and very safe type of radiation because you could not put enough alpha particles inside a tumor to cover the tumor with the radiation dose. What Alpha DaRT technology does is rely on the movement of what's called alpha-emitting daughter atoms." "So essentially, we take a biocompatible inert metal seed, which means that if you were to put this seed into the body, there would be no immune effect. Patients could have it inside them for the entirety of their life. Essentially, what we do is we cover this seed with a radiopharmaceutical called Radium-224. We just put Radium-224 on the outside of the seed. Then, we insert it either through a minimally invasive approach or using a different endoscopic approach inside the tumor directly. So now we have the seed covered with the radium inside the tumor, and this is basically where the magic happens." #AlphaTauMedical #Cancer #TargetedRadiation #ClinicalResearch #RadiationOncology #Oncology #CancerTreatment #AlphaRadiation alphatau.com Listen to the podcast here
In today's episode, supported by Bristol Myers Squibb, we had the pleasure of speaking with Roxana S. Dronca, MD, about the FDA approval of subcutaneous nivolumab and hyaluronidase-nvhy (Opdivo Qvantig; subcutaneous nivolumab) for advanced or metastatic solid tumors. Dr Dronca is a professor of oncology, a consultant in the Division of Hematology/Oncology in the Department of Internal Medicine, and director of the Mayo Clinic Comprehensive Cancer Center in Jacksonville, Florida. On December 27, 2024, the FDA approved subcutaneous nivolumab across approved adult, solid tumor nivolumab indications, including as monotherapy, monotherapy maintenance after completion of nivolumab in combination with ipilimumab (Yervoy), or in combination with cabozantinib (Cabometyx) or chemotherapy. This regulatory decision was backed by findings from the phase 3 CheckMate-67T trial (NCT04810078) and includes indications for melanoma, renal cell carcinoma, non–small cell lung cancer, urothelial carcinoma, head and neck squamous cell carcinoma, colorectal cancer, esophageal carcinoma, esophageal adenocarcinoma, hepatocellular carcinoma, gastric cancer, and gastroesophageal junction cancer. In our exclusive interview, Dr Dronca discussed the significance of this FDA approval across multiple solid tumor indications, pivotal findings from the CheckMate-67T trial, and how this approval represents a paradigm shift in modern cancer care delivery.
Sonal Gupta, MD, PhD, SVP and Head of Clinical Development at Affyimmune Therapeutics talks with host Emily Walsh Martin, PhD, to explore the challenges of cell therapy clinical trials and how to move patients quickly and thoughtfully through the steps required to receive therapy in aggressive solid tumor cancers. But first, "we've moved straight from pumpkin spice season into ASGCT Annual Meeting registration season," as Dr. Walsh Martin says. So hop online and join ASGCT, then register and take advantage of the incredible member discounts on Annual Meeting registration. We'll see you in New Orleans, May 13-17, 2025! AnnualMeeting.ASGCT.org/register Music by: https://www.steven-obrien.net/--------------------------Bright New Morning - Steven O'Brien (Used for free under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)Show your support for ASGCT!: https://asgct.org/membership/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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