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Business Wire
27-05-2025
- Business
- Business Wire
BostonGene to Showcase its Multimodal AI Platform Advancing Drug Development at the 2025 ASCO
WALTHAM, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- BostonGene, a leader in AI-powered solutions for drug discovery and development, today announced that six abstracts have been accepted at the 2025 ASCO Annual Meeting (ASCO), scheduled to take place May 31 – June 3, 2025, at McCormick Place Convention Center in Chicago, IL. BostonGene will also exhibit at booth #15147. BostonGene will showcase the impact of its validated, multimodal AI platform, which combines deep molecular profiling, immune system characterization and advanced analytics to accelerate and de-risk oncology drug development. Share BostonGene will showcase the impact of its validated, multimodal AI platform, which combines deep molecular profiling, immune system characterization and advanced analytics to accelerate and de-risk oncology drug development. Across six accepted studies—conducted independently and in collaboration with leading academic institutions—BostonGene will demonstrate how its platform uncovers novel biomarkers, refines patient stratification and predicts therapeutic response across a range of tumor types. Presentations will highlight advancements in transcriptomic analysis, immune microenvironment profiling, histomolecular subtyping and blood-based predictors—key tools for improving clinical trial design and driving precision treatment strategies. Details about the abstracts selected for presentation can be found below: Abstract number: 11536 Title: Molecular subtyping and insights into sarcoma biology and prognosis Date & time: May 31 | 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM Presenter: Nikita Kotlov, BostonGene In this study, BostonGene's multiomic Tumor Portrait TM test was used to identify distinct molecular patterns in various sarcoma subtypes that correlated with survival outcomes. These findings demonstrate the potential clinical impact of advanced analytics paired with molecular sequencing in diverse diseases such as sarcoma. Abstract number: 1049 Title: Macroscale Genomic Alterations in Histomolecular Invasive Lobular Carcinoma Compared to Other Breast Cancer Subtypes Date & time: June 2 | 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM Presenter: Jason Mouabbi, MD, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center In collaboration with MD Anderson, BostonGene used its advanced analytic platform to identify unique histologic and molecular findings in invasive lobular carcinoma (ILC), a subtype of breast cancer for which treatment options are often inferred. Profiling of over 600 patients resulted in the discovery of biologic mechanisms and alterations that could direct future therapeutic and drug development strategies. Research done in collaboration with MD Anderson Cancer Center Abstract number: 11561 Title: Detecting hotspots of intra- and transchromosomal fusions in liposarcomas by RNA sequencing Date & time: May 31 | 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM Presenter: Lev Bedniagin, MD, BostonGene Leveraging BostonGene's extensive internal cohort and advanced sequencing technologies, this study conducted transcriptome analysis of Liposarcoma (LPS) samples, revealing novel hotspots of gene fusions in LPS patients. These discoveries can be used to improve diagnostic accuracy and the development of novel therapeutics in LPS and similar diseases. Abstract number: 4198 Title: Uncovering the Tumor Microenvironment (TME): Exploring survival and immunotherapy (IO) response in Cancer of Unknown Primary (CUP) Date & time: May 31 | 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM Presenter: Joelle Allam, MD, The Texas University MD Anderson Cancer Center In this study, BostonGene utilized its Tumor Portrait TM test to characterize Cancer of Unknown Primary (CUP). The analysis revealed correlations of clinical factors, the tumor microenvironment and immunotherapy response with survival outcomes, offering new insights into this challenging and poorly defined cancer. Abstract number: 2634 Title: Tertiary lymphoid structures and their association with immune checkpoint inhibitor response and survival outcomes in patients with non-small cell lung cancer Date & time: June 2 | 1:30 PM - 4:30 PM Presenter: Lev Bedniagin, MD, BostonGene Leveraging BostonGene's AI-driven Kassandra deconvolution algorithm to analyze transcriptomic data from patients with non-small cell lung cancer, this study identified unique tertiary lymphoid structures within the tumor microenvironment that may serve as predictive and prognostic biomarkers, enhancing the efficacy of immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy. This study demonstrated the clinical utility of the BostonGene Tumor Portrait TM test in guiding treatment selection for castrate-resistant prostate cancer based on tumor microenvironment-related gene signatures. These findings underscore the importance of precision medicine in managing cancer subtypes that are resistant to traditional interventions. For more information, please visit the 2025 ASCO Annual Meeting website. The abstracts will be published online in the Journal of Clinical Oncology supplement for the ASCO Annual Meeting Proceedings. About BostonGene Corporation BostonGene helps drug developers de-risk and accelerate research and development using a clinically validated AI platform purpose-built for oncology and supported by a CLIA-certified and CAP-accredited clinical laboratory. By integrating advanced molecular and immune profiling with clinical data, we uncover actionable insights that inform trial design, optimize patient selection and improve clinical outcomes. Our diagnostic and treatment recommendation solutions are used in clinical settings to personalize care and guide therapy decisions for patients. For more information, visit


Business Wire
22-05-2025
- Business
- Business Wire
Volastra Announces Initial Data from First-in-Human Phase I/II Trial of Novel KIF18A Inhibitor VLS-1488 to be Presented at 2025 ASCO Annual Meeting
NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Volastra Therapeutics, a clinical-stage cancer biotechnology company focused on chromosomal instability, today announced preliminary safety and efficacy data from its ongoing, first-in-human Phase I/II trial of its novel, oral KIF18A inhibitor, VLS-1488. These results will be featured in an oral presentation at the 2025 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting on Monday, June 2. 'We are excited by these results from our VLS-1488 KIF18A inhibitor program, demonstrating a favorable safety profile at clinically active doses, with tumor shrinkage in patients with heavily pre-treated ovarian cancer,' said Scott Drutman, M.D., Ph.D., Chief Medical Officer and Head of R&D of Volastra Therapeutics. 'These initial data represent a major milestone for the field of chromosomal instability and provide a clear path for dose and patient population selection for the next phase of development.' As of the January 10, 2025 data cutoff, 52 patients with advanced solid tumors were enrolled to the dose escalation portion of the trial across dose levels ranging from 50 mg to 800 mg. Drug exposures exceeded preclinically-defined efficacious thresholds for anti-tumor activity. No dose limiting toxicities were observed and a maximum tolerated dose was not reached. Less than 45% of patients experienced treatment-related adverse events (TRAEs) of any grade and less than 16% of all patients experienced G3 TRAEs. No patients experienced >G3 TRAEs. Of the 20 patients with advanced high grade serous ovarian cancer, the majority were platinum resistant and heavily pretreated with a median of 5 prior lines of therapy. At the time of data cutoff, 7 of the 17 response-evaluable patients demonstrated a reduction in tumor size, including 3 Partial Responses per RECIST, with 5 patients remaining on therapy. 'These early data show VLS-1488 to be very well tolerated, with promising initial efficacy in ovarian cancer,' said Ecaterina Dumbrava, M.D., Assistant Professor of Investigational Cancer Therapeutics at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center and investigator on the trial. 'The data that will be presented demonstrate the potential of KIF18A as a novel, relevant therapeutic target for hard-to-treat cancers and I look forward to continued development.' Volastra continues to enroll patients in this study and explore the broad potential of its two KIF18A inhibitors, VLS-1488 and sovilnesib in ovarian and other cancers. Details of the ASCO Rapid Oral Abstract Session are as follows: Title: Preliminary results from a first-in-human, phase I/II study of VLS-1488, an oral KIF18A inhibitor, in patients with advanced solid tumors Presenter: Ecaterina Dumbrava, M.D., Assistant Professor of Investigational Cancer Therapeutics, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center Session Title: Developmental Therapeutics—Molecularly Targeted Agents and Tumor Biology – Small Molecules Session Date and Time: Location: McCormick Place Convention Center, S406 About VLS-1488 VLS-1488 is a novel, oral small molecule inhibitor of KIF18A, a kinesin protein essential for cancer cell division and a synthetic lethal target in chromosomally unstable cancers. VLS-1488 was granted Fast Track Designation from the FDA in October 2024 for the treatment of patients with platinum-resistant high-grade serous ovarian cancer. About VLS-1488-2201 Trial (NCT05902988) The Phase 1/2 trial is evaluating the safety, tolerability, PK, and antitumor activity of VLS-1488 in patients with advanced solid tumors, including high grade serious ovarian cancer. The study consists of two parts, Dose Escalation and Dose Expansion. Enrollment to the dose expansion portion of this study is ongoing. About Ovarian Cancer and Chromosomal Instability In the U.S. alone, there are more than 20,000 new cases of ovarian cancer each year, over 75% of which are advanced. Most of these patients will experience disease progression on platinum-based therapy. High grade serous ovarian cancer accounts for approximately 75% of all ovarian cancers, about 80% of all deaths and is almost universally chromosomally unstable. About Volastra Therapeutics Volastra Therapeutics is a clinical-stage biotechnology company pioneering novel approaches to the treatment of cancer by targeting chromosomal instability. The company leads the field with two differentiated, oral KIF18A inhibitors, VLS-1488 and sovilnesib (formerly AMG-650). Both assets are currently being evaluated in Phase 1 clinical trials for platinum resistant ovarian cancer and other advanced solid tumors. Volastra is also developing new techniques to understand the biology of chromosomal instability and leveraging these insights to drive forward a preclinical pipeline of therapies against innovative targets. Volastra was founded in 2019 by Lewis Cantley, Ph.D., Samuel Bakhoum, M.D., Ph.D., and Olivier Elemento, Ph.D., and is funded by key investors including Polaris Partners, ARCH Ventures, B-Capital, Droia Ventures, Vida Ventures, Catalio Capital Management and Eli Lilly & Company. Notable partners include Tailor Bio and Microsoft.