Cerba Research’s Post

Head and neck cancer is one of the most prevalent forms of cancer worldwide. Around 90% of cases are squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN), with about 60% of patients diagnosed with the locally advanced form. There is an urgent need for novel therapies to improve the poor prognosis of patients with unresected LA SCCHN. Within two years post-treatment, close to half of these patients experience disease recurrence or metastasis and have a median overall survival of 12 months. One significant hurdle in treatment is cancer cells developing resistance to chemoradiotherapy (CRT). Cancer cells can begin to overproduce inhibitors of apoptosis proteins (IAPs) that diminish the treatment's effectiveness. Xevinapant works by blocking these IAPs, potentially overcoming this resistance and improving the impact of CRT. In the phase II segment of a phase I/II clinical trial (NCT02022098), combining xevinapant with CRT demonstrated a well-tolerated safety profile and significantly improved CRT's ability to prevent cancer recurrence in unresected LA SCCHN patients. In our latest video article, Prof. Jean Bourhis shares the findings of an extended follow-up study of this trial, evaluating the efficacy of xevinapant combined with CRT after three years of treatment and the survival rates after five years. https://bit.ly/47qHhn2 #LASCCHN #Cancer #Chemoradiotherapy #Xevinapant

What is the innate #immune #Complement system doing in #cancer? Follow our International Complement Society Complement and cancer virtual symposium on 7th of November 2024! Free registration here 👇 https://lnkd.in/e-KwxGWA Fantastic speakers, check it out! So happy to co-organize it with Brahm Segal! The virtual symposium on Complement and Cancer of the International Complement Society explores the critical and complex role of the complement system within the tumor microenvironment. Interactions between malignant cells, host cells, and complement components can either inhibit or promote cancer progression, significantly influencing patient prognosis. Despite recent advances, there is an unmet need for personalized therapeutic approaches considering the diverse nature of complement involvement across different cancers. This workshop aims to bridge this gap by presenting cutting-edge research on the dual roles of complement in cancer. Discussions will cover the mechanistic aspects of the plasma complement cascade and intracellular complement, their antitumoral effects, and their potential to drive chronic inflammation and tumor growth. Additionally, the symposium will highlight how this knowledge is being applied in clinical trials with complement-targeting drugs. By fostering a deeper understanding, the event seeks to advance the development of tailored cancer therapies, ultimately improving patient care and outcomes.

A study led by the WEHI (Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research) and the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre has discovered a new method of killing #leukaemia cells in the lab after identifying two new proteins critical for aggressive #cancer development. The findings, while in early in-vitro stages, could lead to enhanced treatment options moving forward, with plans already coalescing to develop a clinical trial based on the findings. Some 5,200 people are diagnosed with one of the forms of leukaemia in Australia each year. Acute cases account for about 1,500 of these diagnoses, meaning the cancer appears suddenly and grows quickly. The cancer is also particularly difficult to treat, with about 50% of patients relapsing (cancer reoccurs) after the first round of chemotherapy, subsequently becoming resistant to further treatments. More at #Proactive #ProactiveInvestors #Biotech #BloodCancer #Oncology http://ow.ly/6hZY105lVM6

Tivdak (tisotumab vedotin-tftv) mechanism of action in metastatic cervical cancer January is National Awareness Month for Cervical Cancer! https://lnkd.in/ev3HztTc Cervical Cancer Facts! https://lnkd.in/ebGwste7 Cervical Cancer Screening https://lnkd.in/ebsS_fu9 Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Vaccine https://lnkd.in/eTvEfhw8 Cervical cancer is one of the most preventable and treatable forms of cancer. With vaccine, screening and treatment we can eliminate cervical cancer. Tisotumab vedotin is an antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) that was granted accelerated approval for the treatment of metastatic cervical cancer in September 2021. https://lnkd.in/eygFfhzC Tivdak Prescribing Information https://lnkd.in/eSU4NHpg The recommended dose is 2 mg/kg (up to a maximum of 200 mg for patients ≥100 kg) given as an intravenous infusion over 30 minutes every 3 weeks until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity. #Cancer #Oncology #CervicalCancer #CervicalCancerAwareness #CervicalCancerAwarenessMonth #Moffitt #MoffittCancerCenter Moffitt Cancer Center

UH Seidman Cancer Center is one of just a few cancer centers nationwide to offer our patients early access to a novel and more sensitive method of diagnosing kidney cancer. Care teams here are giving patients a special contrast specific to kidney cancer in conjunction with a PET scan, in advance of expected approval by the FDA at the end of the year. All adult patients with renal masses are eligible to participate. The new contrast, given a few days before the actual PET scan, is an effort to improve diagnostic options for kidney cancer, says Pedro Barata, MD, MSc, FACP, Director of the Clinical Genitourinary Medical Oncology Research Program and Miggo Family Chair in Cancer Research. He’s leading the implementation of the novel tracer at UH Seidman. “PET scans are available for many tumors, but for some tumors like kidney cancer, the tracer we normally use is FDG, which tests glucose metabolism,” he says. “Its role in kidney cancer is limited. We needed a kidney cancer-specific tracer.” “Compared to the normal scans, which can include CT scans or MRI or ultrasound, this PET scan with this contrast or tracer has a much higher sensitivity and specificity to find kidney cancer, particularly clear cell renal cell carcinoma in the kidney, but also outside the kidney compared to normal scans” Read more at https://lnkd.in/gYjyUqd3 #kidneycancer #PETscan #healthcareinnovation #patientsfirst

🔎 September is Prostate Cancer Awareness Month 🧬 #Prostate cancer is the second most common cancer among men globally, with over 1.4 million new cases diagnosed in 2022. While age is a significant risk factor, it’s crucial to recognize that prostate cancer can affect men of all ages. 🧬 Approximately 1 in 8 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer during their lifetime, emphasizing the importance of vigilance regardless of age. Early-stage prostate cancer often presents with minimal to no symptoms, highlighting the necessity of regular screenings for early detection and improved outcomes. Notably, the survival rate is an impressive 99% when prostate cancer is detected at an early, localized stage. 🎯 The BRCA1-2 genes, best known for their link to breast and ovarian cancer, also play a significant role. Testing for #BRCA1 and #BRCA2 mutations in prostate cancer patients is crucial because it helps identify those who are most likely to benefit from PARP inhibitor therapy. This personalized approach to treatment not only improves outcomes but also spares patients from undergoing unnecessary therapies that may not be effective.   Discover more on our website: https://lnkd.in/etarFpCP

🚨 New Publication Alert 🚨 Excited to share our latest open-access paper on immunotherapy in thyroid cancer! 🧬 Thyroid cancer remains the most common endocrine malignancy, presenting significant challenges even with advances in treatment. Our research explores the complex interaction between the immune system and thyroid cancer cells, particularly focusing on the potential of immunotherapy as a game changer. Immune checkpoint inhibitors like anti-CTLA-4 and anti-PD-1/PD-L1 have shown great promise in other cancers, and we're exploring their potential in thyroid cancer, including follicular cell-derived carcinomas and medullary thyroid carcinomas (MTCs). While preclinical data are encouraging, clinical studies in advanced thyroid cancer have yet to show definitive benefits, making further research crucial. Check out the paper here: Read the full paper (open access)! https://lnkd.in/dknX-Qv2 Special thanks to my incredible team and collaborators for their dedication to advancing cancer treatment! 👏 #thyroidcancer #immunotherapy #oncology #cancerresearch #checkpointinhibitors #medullarythyroidcarcinoma #openaccess #cancertreatment #clinicaltrials #research

The current standard of care for patients with metastatic #prostatecancer is androgen-deprivation therapy (ADT). However, most prostate cancer cells acquire resistance, becoming a castration-resistant (CR) phenotype. The presence of neuroendocrine-like cells can also exacerbate CR and support cancer cell survival and progression. BXCL701 stimulates the innate immune system to promote cytotoxicity against cancer cells and facilitates the effects of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) such as pembrolizumab. The combination therapy of BXCL701 and pembrolizumab has shown impressive efficacy in patients with metastatic CR prostate cancer with small-cell neuroendocrine carcinoma and adenocarcinoma phenotypes. Earlier this year, BXCL701 acquired the FDA Fast Track Designation for use in combination with ICI for the treatment of metastatic small cell neuroendocrine prostate cancer with progression on chemotherapy and no evidence of microsatellite instability. Read more in our new blog: https://lnkd.in/dutwW-js

A patient with Acute Myelogenous Leukemia has achieved a Complete Response in the ongoing Phase 1b CHM CORE-NK + Vactosertib trial. The study, led by Dr. Eva Selfridge at UH Seidman Cancer Center in Ohio, is the first to assess NK cells in combination with Vactosertib in advanced colorectal and blood cancers. This is the first patient treated in the blood cancer arm, and the combination therapy has been delivered safely. COO Dr Rebecca McQualter said: “As the study continues to enrol subjects with advanced cancer, we are pleased to see the clinical combination can be delivered safely, and we are very happy to report that one study subject with advanced Acute Myelogenous Leukemia (AML) experienced a Complete Response at Day 28 after starting treatment with the CHM CORE-NK + Vactosertib combination.” The patient will continue on study and be monitored for up to 15 years, a standard FDA requirement for all cell therapy trials. 3 patients are currently enrolled in the Phase 1b study with the goal to enrol 12 patients. Read the full ASX Announcement here: https://lnkd.in/g6vvMex7 #CHM #biotech #ASX #ASXNews #Vactosertib #CellTherapy #AML #BloodCancer #CompleteResponse #CancerResearch #NKCellTherapy #Immunotherapy #ClinicalTrials #CancerTreatment

Cancer is a formidable disease to cure. The complexity and adaptability of cancer cells, combined with the challenges in early detection and treatment side effects mean researchers must cast a wide net to find effective and safe therapies.  New clinical trials featured on our blog are evaluating two different types of medications that target cancer cells in different ways, while sparing healthy cells. One study is designed to treat epithelial ovarian cancer and the other is for people with advanced breast cancer. Learn how these studies differ and why they are important contributions to the ongoing effort to cure cancer: https://lnkd.in/g3wemy5v. #FINISHCANCER #clinicaltrials #ovariancancer #breastcancer