niche activators / J&J, Scholar Rock - LARVOL DELTA

SNF5 is involved in suppression of hepatocellular carcinoma progression via TGF-beta 1 signaling. (PubMed) - "Furthermore, depletion of SNF5 attenuated the sensitivity of HCC cells to sorafenib. Furthermore, depletion of SNF5 attenuated the sensitivity of HCC cells to sorafenib. Thus, our data suggested that SNF5 may participate in HCC suppression, and reduced expression of SNF5 correlates with the poor differentiation and prognosis of HCC, indicating that SNF5 might be an important prognostic biomarker and promising therapeutic target for HCC."

Biomarker • Journal • Biosimilar • Gastrointestinal Cancer • Hepatocellular Cancer • Oncology • Solid Tumor

Controlled release of TGF-beta 1 from RADA self-assembling peptide hydrogel scaffolds. (PubMed) - Drug Des Devel Ther - "Moreover, L-RADA16, D-RADA16, and L-RADA16-RGD self-assembling peptide hydrogels containing TGF-beta 1 were used for 3D cell culture of bone mesenchymal stem cells of rats for 2 weeks. The results revealed that these three RADA16 peptide hydrogels had a significantly favorable influence on proliferation of bone mesenchymal stem cells and hold some promise in slow and sustained release of growth factor."

Journal • Biosimilar

Defeating checkpoint resistance: Highly specific inhibition of latent TGFβ1 activation renders resistant solid tumors vulnerable to PD-1 blockade (SITC 2018) - "Pharmacologic blockade of TGFβ1 activation is sufficient to sensitize TGFβ1-predominant tumors to PD-1 inhibition. These encouraging efficacy data and the potentially favorable safety profile of TGFβ1 isoform-selective inhibition establish a strong rationale for exploring therapeutic application of combining PD-(L)1 blockade with latent TGFβ1 inhibition in treatment of multiple cancer types."

Bladder Cancer • Genito-urinary Cancer • Melanoma • Oncology • Solid Tumor • Urothelial Cancer

"Scholar Rock Announces Issuance of U.S. Patent Broadly Relevant to Antibodies that Modulate TGFβ Activation https://t.co/DlOQ4Al0Vu" (@NewsFromBW)