Defining the Critical Hurdles in Cancer Immunotherapy

ABSTRACT: Scientific discoveries that provide strong evidence of antitumor effects in preclinical models often encounter significant delays before being tested in patients with cancer. While some of these delays have a scientific basis, others do not. We need to do better. Innovative strategies need to move into early stage clinical trials as quickly as it is safe, and if successful, these therapies should efficiently obtain regulatory approval and widespread clinical application. In late 2009 and 2010 the Society for Immunotherapy of Cancer (SITC), convened an "Immunotherapy Summit" with representatives from immunotherapy organizations representing Europe, Japan, China and North America to discuss collaborations to improve development and delivery of cancer immunotherapy. One of the concepts raised by SITC and defined as critical by all parties was the need to identify hurdles that impede effective translation of cancer immunotherapy. With consensus on these hurdles, international working groups could be developed to make recommendations vetted by the participating organizations. These recommendations could then be considered by regulatory bodies, governmental and private funding agencies, pharmaceutical companies and academic institutions to facilitate changes necessary to accelerate clinical translation of novel immune-based cancer therapies. The critical hurdles identified by representatives of the collaborating organizations, now organized as the World Immunotherapy Council, are presented and discussed in this report. Some of the identified hurdles impede all investigators, others hinder investigators only in certain regions or institutions or are more relevant to specific types of immunotherapy or first-in-humans studies. Each of these hurdles can significantly delay clinical translation of promising advances in immunotherapy yet be overcome to improve outcomes of patients with cancer

Defining the critical hurdles in cancer immunotherapy

Scientific discoveries that provide strong evidence of antitumor effects in preclinical models often encounter significant delays before being tested in patients with cancer. While some of these delays have a scientific basis, others do not. We need to do better. Innovative strategies need to move into early stage clinical trials as quickly as it is safe, and if successful, these therapies should efficiently obtain regulatory approval and widespread clinical application. In late 2009 and 2010 the Society for Immunotherapy of Cancer (SITC), convened an "Immunotherapy Summit" with representatives from immunotherapy organizations representing Europe, Japan, China and North America to discuss collaborations to improve development and delivery of cancer immunotherapy. One of the concepts raised by SITC and defined as critical by all parties was the need to identify hurdles that impede effective translation of cancer immunotherapy. With consensus on these hurdles, international working groups could be developed to make recommendations vetted by the participating organizations. These recommendations could then be considered by regulatory bodies, governmental and private funding agencies, pharmaceutical companies and academic institutions to facilitate changes necessary to accelerate clinical translation of novel immune-based cancer therapies. The critical hurdles identified by representatives of the collaborating organizations, now organized as the World Immunotherapy Council, are presented and discussed in this report. Some of the identified hurdles impede all investigators; others hinder investigators only in certain regions or institutions or are more relevant to specific types of immunotherapy or first-in-humans studies. Each of these hurdles can significantly delay clinical translation of promising advances in immunotherapy yet if overcome, have the potential to improve outcomes of patients with cancer

Adaptive Multivariable Super-Twisting Sliding Mode Controller and Disturbance Observer Design for Hypersonic Vehicle

A multivariable super-twisting sliding mode controller and disturbance observer with gain adaptation, chattering reduction, and finite time convergence are proposed for a generic hypersonic vehicle where the boundary of aerodynamic uncertainties exists but is unknown. Firstly, an input-output linearization model is constructed for the purpose of controller design. Then, the sliding manifold is designed based on the homogeneity theory. Furthermore, an integrated adaptive multivariable super-twisting sliding mode controller and disturbance observer are designed in order to achieve the tracking for step changes in velocity and altitude. Finally, some simulation results are provided to verify the effectiveness of the proposed method

Adaptive High Order Sliding Mode Controller Design for Hypersonic Vehicle with Flexible Body Dynamics

This paper describes the design of a nonlinear robust adaptive controller for a flexible hypersonic vehicle model which is nonlinear, multivariable, and unstable, and includes uncertain parameters. Firstly, a control-oriented model is derived for controller design. Then, the model analysis is conducted for this model via input-output (I/O) linearized technique. Secondly, the sliding mode manifold is designed based on the homogeneity theory. Then, the adaptive high order sliding mode controller is designed to achieve the tracking for hypersonic vehicle where the upper bounds of the uncertainties are not known in advance. Furthermore, the stability of the system is proved via the Lyapunov theory. Finally, the Monte-Carlo simulation results on the full-order nonlinear model with aerodynamic uncertainties are provided to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed control strategy

Design, synthesis, and antitumor activities of novel ureido/thioureido derivatives with a 4-phenylthiazol-2-amine scaffold

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) presents a significant global health challenge, necessitating the exploration of novel chemical entities or innovative therapeutic approaches targeting diverse signaling mechanisms. In this study, our focus was on developing a series of ureido/thioureido derivatives with a 4-phenylthiazol-2-amine scaffold to design structurally innovative candidates for HCC treatment, drawing inspiration from the structural characteristics of type II inhibitors like Sorafenib. The synthesized compounds underwent comprehensive evaluation for their antiproliferative activities against human MCF7, HepG2, QGY7703, SMMC-7721, Huh-7, and PLC cells. Additionally, investigations into the molecular targets of selected compounds were conducted. Notably, compound 31 emerged as a standout performer, displaying an IC50 of 0.94 ± 0.29 μM against HepG2 cells, surpassing the efficacy of Sorafenib (1.62 ± 0.27 μM). Further investigations revealed its capability for G2/M phase arrest, apoptosis induction, and significant inhibition of cell cloning and migration in HepG2 cells. Moreover, compound 31 exhibited a notable positive effect on IGF1R, with a significant inhibitory activity of 69.22 % at a concentration of 10 μM. Molecular docking analyses revealed a stronger affinity between compound 31 and the receptor compared to the IGF1R inhibitor OZN2290. In conclusion, compound 31 emerges as a promising candidate for HCC treatment

Discovery of Ureido-Substituted 4-Phenylthiazole Derivatives as IGF1R Inhibitors with Potent Antiproliferative Properties

The existing kinase inhibitors for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) have conferred survival benefits but are hampered by adverse effects and drug resistance, necessitating the development of novel agents targeting distinct pathways. To discover potent new anti-HCC compounds, we leveraged scaffold hopping from Sorafenib and introduced morpholine/piperidine moieties to develop ureido-substituted 4-phenylthiazole analogs with optimized physicochemical properties and binding interactions. Notably, compound 27 exhibited potent cytotoxicity against HepG2 cells (IC50 = 0.62 ± 0.34 μM), significantly exceeding Sorafenib (IC50 = 1.62 ± 0.27 μM). Mechanistic investigations revealed that compound 27 potently inhibited HCC cell migration and colony formation, and it induced G2/M arrest and early-stage apoptosis. Kinase profiling revealed IGF1R as a key target, which compound 27 potently inhibited (76.84% at 10 μM). Molecular modeling substantiated compound 27’s strong binding to IGF1R via multiple hydrogen bonds. Computational predictions indicate favorable drug-like properties for compound 27. These findings provide a promising drug candidate for the treatment of HCC patients

Combination Strategies to Maximize the Benefits of Cancer Immunotherapy

Immunotherapies such as immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) and adoptive cell therapy (ACT) have revolutionized cancer treatment, especially in patients whose disease was otherwise considered incurable. However, primary and secondary resistance to single agent immunotherapy often results in treatment failure, and only a minority of patients experience long-term benefits. This review article will discuss the relationship between cancer immune response and mechanisms of resistance to immunotherapy. It will also provide a comprehensive review on the latest clinical status of combination therapies (e.g., immunotherapy with chemotherapy, radiation therapy and targeted therapy), and discuss combination therapies approved by the US Food and Drug Administration. It will provide an overview of therapies targeting cytokines and other soluble immunoregulatory factors, ACT, virotherapy, innate immune modifiers and cancer vaccines, as well as combination therapies that exploit alternative immune targets and other therapeutic modalities. Finally, this review will include the stimulating insights from the 2020 China Immuno-Oncology Workshop co-organized by the Chinese American Hematologist and Oncologist Network (CAHON), the China National Medical Product Administration (NMPA) and Tsinghua University School of Medicine

A new hybrid silicone-based antifouling coating with nanocomposite hydrogel for durable antifouling properties

A new hybrid silicone-based antifouling coating with nanocomposite hydrogel for durable antifouling propertie