Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatohepatitis (MASH) is a severe form of Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease (MASLD). MASH is a growing public health concern due to its increasing prevalence, driven by factors like obesity, type 2 diabetes, and metabolic syndrome. MASH can progress to advanced liver scarring (fibrosis) and cirrhosis, increasing the risk of liver cancer and …Read More >

Precision-cut tissue slices (PCTS) are an effective ex vivo model for studying human diseases, including those involving the tissue microenvironment. PCTS represent a more in vivo-like model for studying complex interactions within tissues compared to cell cultures or in vitro systems. PCTS preserve the original tissue structure, including the extracellular matrix (ECM), immune components, and …Read More >

Receptor tyrosine kinase-like orphan receptor 1 (ROR1) is a key mediator of non-canonical Wnt signaling and plays a critical role in cancer progression. ROR1 is selectively and highly expressed in various solid tumors and hematological malignancies, while absent in normal adult tissue, making it a promising target for cancer therapy. Currently, there is a need …Read More >

Natural killer (NK) cells play a crucial role in the immune system and can recognize and kill cancer cells. Research in this area is focused on strategies for enhancing NK cell activity in tumor immunotherapy. These strategies include using monoclonal and multi-specific antibodies, as well as immune modulator molecules like cytokines, to redirect and stimulate …Read More >

Antibody-Drug Conjugates (ADCs) have made significant advancements in cancer treatment, particularly for solid tumors. The bystander effect of ADCs, where cytotoxic payloads released by antibodies diffuse and kill nearby tumor cells, is a crucial mechanism, particularly in heterogeneous tumors where not all cells express the target antigen. This effect can enhance ADC efficacy, especially when …Read More >

Cancers, like cervical cancer and head & neck cancer, are strongly linked to human papillomavirus (HPV) infection. Targeting the HPV virus, particularly through vaccines, is a promising approach for treating HPV-related cancers. Vaccines can be designed to stimulate the immune system to target and eliminate HPV-infected cells, potentially preventing cancer progression or even treating established …Read More >

Antibody‒drug conjugates (ADCs), which combine the advantages of monoclonal antibodies with precise targeting and payloads, show great potential as cancer therapies.  However, primary and secondary resistance is frequently observed.  The successful development of next generation ADCs necessitates the establishment of tumor models that address the mechanism of action underlying this resistance. At the 2025 Festival …Read More >

Herpes simplex virus 1 and 2 (HSV-1 and HSV-2) are globally prevalent human pathogens associated with a wide range of diseases, from mild conditions such as herpes labialis (cold sores) to serious infections such as encephalitis and meningitis. HSV can establish a lifelong latent infection in neurons of the peripheral nervous system and can reactivate …Read More >

Approximately 20-40% of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) patients experience relapsed or refractory disease after initial treatment with R-CHOP (a combination therapy regimen for DLBCL that combines chemotherapy drugs with rituximab). Polatuzumab vedotin is an antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) used to treat DLBCL, both in first-line treatment and for relapsed or refractory cases. At the 2025 …Read More >