Blood vessel formation (angiogenesis) is an important pathologic process in solid tumors. The liberation of vast amounts of vasoendothelial growth factor (VEGF), which attracts endothelial cells, is responsible for angiogenesis. Continue reading
Category Archives: Tumor Microenvironment
The Warburg Effect: Multiple Proposed Roles in Cancer – Conor McAuliffe, Contributor
In the 1920’s Otto Warburg first discovered that tumor cells bypass normal cellular respiration i.e. glucose converted to pyruvate through glycolysis, and the sequential oxidation of pyruvate through the Krebs Cycle in the mitochondria. Instead tumor cells divert pyruvate to lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), which reduces pyruvate into lactate. This type of metabolism, referred to as The Warburg Effect, is normally observed in cells in hypoxic or anaerobic environments, in cells that are proliferating, or in cells in which the accumulation of pyruvate exceeds the capacity of the mitochondria. Continue reading
Three Recent Late Stage Disappointments for Lung Cancer, Pancreatic Cancer, Sarcoma, and Glioblastoma
In the last several months, three novel drugs that we have been following on this blog failed in late stage clinical trials. The drugs have diverse mechanisms of action:
Exploiting the Tumor Microenvironment – Threshold, Bioatla, Pfizer
Two companies announced news last week regarding their efforts to treat cancer by administering treatments that become activated by physiological conditions specific to the tumor microenvironment. Threshold Pharmaceuticals announced data from Phase III clinical trials of evophosphamide (TH-302), and BioAtla announced an antibody development deal with Pfizer. Continue reading
Darzalex for Refractory Multiple Myeloma
Darzalex (daratumumab), and anti-CD38 monoclonal antibody for the treatment of patients with multiple myeloma who had already undergone at least three prior standard treatments, received FDA approval. The product was developed by J&J and Genmab. Continue reading
Immatics and MD Anderson Collaborate on IL-21 for Cancer Immunotherapy
Immatics, a German biotechnology company has established a subsidiary in Houston, TX to collaborate with MD Anderson on overcoming some of the limitations to the adoptive T cell therapies now in the immuno-oncology pipeline. The collaboration covers the use of cytokine IL-21 to expand high-quality T cell batches, particularly those generated by CAR-T (chimeric antigen receptor T-cell) and related approaches. Continue reading
Cancer-Associated Macrophage-Like Cells (CAML) – Liquid Biopsy for Cancer Diagnosis, Prognosis, Staging, and Monitoring
Cancers are tumors that cross the basement membrane and develop invasiveness, the ability to intravasate into blood vessels, and then to colonize and grow at distant sites. Complex heterotypic cellular interactions inside the tumor are responsible for this.
Experimental Front-Line Treatment for Head & Neck Cancer in Phase III
Multikine is a new product being developed by CEL-SCi for front-line use in patients with head and neck cancer. I observed a presentation at the 2015 Biotech Showcase on January 12, 2015. A late stage clinical trial is currently enrolling – Phase III Study of LI [Multikine®] Plus SOC (Surgery + Radiotherapy or Surgery + Concurrent Radiochemotherapy) in Subjects With Advanced Primary Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Oral Cavity/Soft Palate vs. SOC Only. Continue reading
The Texas 2 Step Approach to Cancer Cyberwarfare via Exosomes
Multi-modality (surgery, chemo, radiation) therapy and combination chemotherapy (e.g, CHOP and ABVD) have long been the mainstays of treating cancer. So, we should not be surprised to read about the discovery made by scientists at Rice University and MD Anderson regarding a two-step approach involving radiation and immunotherapy. Continue reading
Chop Protein Suppresses the Immune Response in Cancer
The Chop protein, not to be confused with the CHOP chemotherapy regimen for lymphoma (Cyclophosphamide, Hydro doxorubicin – Adriamycin, Oncovin – vincristine, and Prednisone), is a multifunctional transcription factor. This 29 kda protein that is produced following unfolded protein stress in the endoplasmic reticulum, which then triggers apoptosis. Continue reading