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
Category Archives: Biology
Tissue Phenomics for Biomarker Identification in Active Immuno-Oncology Therapy
To date, the search for biomarkers to best guide active immunologic therapy selection and monitoring of response has not been fruitful. Unlike molecular targeted therapies and monoclonal antibodies for which the presence of mutated or over-expressed proteins (e.g., Philadelphia Chromosome, B-raf, HER-2, and CD20) is a prerequisite to use, Continue reading
Amgen’s Trebananib Does Not Meet Overall Survival Endpoint in Phase Study of Ovarian Cancer Patients
Angiopoietin inhibitor, trebananib, did not extend overall survival (OS) in a Phase 3 study in ovarian cancer. In the TRINOVA-1 trial of 900 women with recurrent ovarian cancer following platinum-based chemotherapy, patients receiving trebananib plus paclitaxel had a 19.3 month overall survival versus 18.3 months OS for women receiving paclitaxel, alone. The difference was not statistically significant. Continue reading
Reprogramming Lung Cancer to Self-Destruct Using TRAIL and CDK9 Inhibitor
CANCER RESEARCH UK scientists have found a drug combination that can trigger the self-destruct process in lung cancer cells – paving the way for new treatments, according to research that will be presented at the National Cancer Research Institute (NCRI) Cancer Conference in Liverpool next week. This process is known as apoptosis. Continue reading
Super Enhancer Switches for Gene Regulation – Syros
Biotech company Syros Pharmaceuticals just raised $53.1 MM in a Series B financing after raising a $30 MM Series A financing in 2013. This is big money for a small company – and, the money comes from some very savvy biotech investment funds. 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
Selectively Targeting Metabolism in Mitochondria In Cancer Cells
An experimental drug, CPI-613, was shown to be safe and induce several responses in a Phase I study of patients with advanced refractory hematologic malignancies. The drug targets mitochondrial enzymes of cancer cells and is not harmful to normal cells at therapeutic doses. Continue reading
Obesity soon to replace tobacco as the number one preventable / treatable cause of cancer
“Obesity is on its way to replacing tobacco as the number one preventable / modifiable cause of cancer,” says Clifford Hudis, MD, the 2013-2014 President of the American Society of Clinical Oncology. Indeed, obese post-menopausal women have up to twice the risk of developing breast cancer as do their normal weight counterparts. Continue reading
Why more males develop brain tumors than females
It is widely known that brain tumors, in particular glioblastomas and medulloblastomas, affect males more than females. Moreover, given the age of onset and analysis of incidence by age, sex hormones have been ruled-out as the cause. Continue reading