CMTR2

REYKJAVIK, Iceland, Oct. 29, 2024 /PRNewswire/ --Scientists at deCODE genetics/Amgen, and their collaborators have discovered six novel genes with rare germline variants that associate with cancer risk. The findings are published today in Nature Genetics under the title "Gene-based burden tests of rare germline variants identify six cancer susceptibility genes". Continue Reading Kari Stefansson senior author of the paper, “Gene-based burden tests of rare germline variants identify six cancer susceptibility genes”, published today in Nature Genetics, discusses the paper with Erna V. Ivarsdottir first author on the paper. Kari Stefansson CEO of deCODE genetics and senior author on the paper in Nature Genetics, with Erna V. Ivarsdottir scientists at deCODE genetics and first author. A subset of cancers arises in individuals who are born with rare sequence variants that significantly alter their cancer risk. The discovery of such variants, like those in the BRCA1- and BRCA2 genes, has led to improved early cancer detection and the development of targeted therapies, ultimately reducing the cancer burden and improving prognosis of those carrying these mutations. In this study, the scientists analysed three large genetic datasets from individuals of European descent, including 130,991 cancer patients and 733,486 controls. Through a gene-based burden association analysis across 22 different cancer types, they found four novel genes associated with a risk of developing cancer; the pro-apoptotic BIK for prostate cancer, the autophagy involved ATG12 for colorectal cancer, TG for thyroid cancer, and CMTR2 for both lung cancer and cutaneous melanoma. The relative increase in cancer risk conferred by these variants was substantial (90-295%), but it should be noted that the design of the study does not allow accurate assessment of absolute lifetime cancer risk. Additionally, the researchers found the first genes with rare variants that are associated with a decreased risk of cancer. Specifically, loss of AURKB was found to protect against any cancer type, and loss of PPP1R15A was associated with 53% lower risk of breast cancer. This suggests that inhibition of PPP1R15A may be a therapeutic option for breast cancer. The study revealed new insight into the biological mechanisms involved in cancer predisposition that will hopefully lead to better screening and treatment strategies. Video - Photo - SOURCE deCODE genetics WANT YOUR COMPANY'S NEWS FEATURED ON PRNEWSWIRE.COM? 440k+ Newsrooms & Influencers 9k+ Digital Media Outlets 270k+ Journalists Opted In GET STARTED

Plus, news about Interius BioTherapeutics, Hope Medicine, PMV Pharmaceuticals, Epitopea, Alyssum Therapeutics and a new dementia trial accelerator in the UK: Bayer exercises option to develop heart drug with Dewpoint Therapeutics : The companies, which first teamed up in 2019, now plan to develop a therapy for dilated cardiomyopathy, a heart muscle disease. Bayer is paying $424 million in upfront and milestone payments. — Jaimy Lee Viking Therapeutics is already thinking about an obesity launch: The company plans to meet with the FDA before the end of the year to discuss Phase 3 plans for its subcutaneous GLP-1/GIP receptor agonist, VK2735, according to remarks made by CEO Brian Lian on Wednesday’s earnings call. Viking is already in conversation with manufacturers, and Lian said he’s confident the company will be able to supply “a blockbuster-sized product at the appropriate time.” Viking is also launching a Phase 2 trial this quarter for an oral version of VK2735. Lian described the experimental oral medicine as more of an “add-on” to the portfolio, while the subcutaneous version would be the “anchor piece.” — Nicole DeFeudis Interius BioTherapeutics doses first ever patient with in vivo CAR-T: The biotech gave an in vivo CAR-T therapy to a patient enrolled in a Phase 1 study of INT2104, which it’s developing for B cell cancers. The trial, which is being run in Australia, is the first test of its kind. Umoja Biopharma has said it plans to dose a patient in its US-based study of its own in vivo CAR-T therapy by the end of this year . — Lei Lei Wu Hope Medicine touts interim data for endometriosis treatment: The company’s monoclonal antibody, dubbed HMI-115 , demonstrated statistically significant improvement in endometriosis pain at 12 weeks. The Phase 2 trial enrolled 142 female patients in the US, Poland and China. The mean dysmenorrhea pain score was reduced by 42%, and non-menstrual pelvic pain score was reduced by 50%. Hope CEO Nathan Chen said the company plans to “move quickly” toward global Phase 3 trials. — Katherine Lewin PMV Pharmaceuticals discontinues early-stage cancer trial: Citing toxicities and limited clinical benefit, the company abandoned its Phase 1b study assessing rezatapopt and Merck’s Keytruda. It had been testing the combo in patients with advanced solid tumors harboring a TP53 Y220C mutation. PMV said enrollment for a Phase 2 trial evaluating rezatapopt as a monotherapy for patients with TP53 Y220C and KRAS wild-type advanced solid tumors is still on track. — Katherine Lewin Epitopea closes $31M pre-Series A: With today’s round, the cancer biotech has raised more than $45 million. The funds are set to go toward its preclinical discovery work in solid tumors and clinical development plans for its RNA-based immunotherapies. — Katherine Lewin Alyssum Therapeutics emerges from stealth with $26M Series A: The Cambridge, MA-based biotech’s lead asset is AT-1965, a clinical-stage small molecule CMTR2 inhibitor. This round was led by co-founder Patrick Soon-Shiong and Accel, Famy and Navam Capital. — Katherine Lewin UK government pours £20M into dementia trial accelerator: The new initiative aims to increase the number of participants in late-stage dementia studies to the tens of thousands and “address pharma-identified roadblocks” to running the trials. The Dementia Trials Accelerator’s objectives include creating a biomarker toolbox and extending trial enrollment to community settings. — Ayisha Sharma