CLEC12 (C-Type Lectin Domain Family 12 Member A) is negative regulator of granulocyte and monocyte functioning. It is a member of the C-type lectin/C-type lectin-like domain (CTL/CTLD) superfamily. It is also known as Myeloid Inhibitory C-Type Lectin-Like Receptor and Dendritic Cell-Associated Lectin. CLEC12 is a cell surface receptor that modulates signaling cascades and mediates tyrosine phosphorylation of target MAP kinases. Continue reading
Tag Archives: AML
Sellas merges with Galena to advance WT1 peptide cancer vaccine
Sellas reversed merged into Galena, a peptide vaccine company whose lead product, NeuVax, for breast cancer failed. Sellas’ lead product is galinpepimut-S for AML (acute myelogenous leukemia) and mesothelioma, as well as other cancers. Continue reading
MDM2 and MDMX inhibitor restores p53 functioning in cancers with wild-type p53
P53 is a tumor suppressor gene that pauses cell division to allow for repair of gene damage, and triggers apoptosis if the damage is not reparable. Loss of p53 is a critical step in the evolution of cancer. Most frequently, p53 is mutated at its DNA binding domain; since p53 is a transcription factor, a diminished ability to bind to DNA significantly disrupts its functioning. Continue reading
Xencor’s Bispecific Antibodies in AML and B Cell Malignancies – Ashini R. Dias, Contributor
Most of the antibodies currently used in therapy are monospecific or monoclonal – they specifically target a particular part of an antigen, called an epitope. The heterogeneous nature of the cancer allows frequent mutations and cross-talk among multiple signaling cascades, which ultimately leads to uncontrollable growth and proliferation of the tumor. Thus, antibodies that bind to two different epitopes on the same or different antigens (known as bispecific) are conceptually superior to monoclonal antibodies. The “dual-target” functionality of the bi-specific antibody consisting of two variable domains allows it to bind to multiple surface receptors or ligands in signaling pathways. Although this phenomenon was identified 30 years back, the first bispecific antibody [Removab – catamuxumab: binds to epithelial cell adhesion molecule (EpCAM) on tumor cells the CD3 antigen on T-cells] was approved for therapy in 2009 in Europe for the treatment of malignant ascites after long years of research and development. Continue reading

Gilteritinib in Patients with Relapsed and Refractory Acute Myeloid Leukemia
Adult acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a cancer of the blood and bone marrow. This type of cancer usually gets worse quickly if it is not treated. Continue reading

Merck Acquires OncoEthix for Novel MYC Blocker
Last week, Merck acquired OncoEthix at a price of $375 MM for OTX015, a synthetic small molecule which targets the BET bromodomain proteins 2, 3, and 4 (BRD2/3/4). Continue reading

JAK-inhibitors for myelofibrosis
Last week, pacritinib, an oral tyrosine kinase inhibitor drug-candidate with dual activity against JAK2 and FLT, has been granted Fast Track designation by the U.S. Food & Drug Administration Continue reading