RS Oncology Announces New Preclinical Data Show RSO-021 May Block and/or Reverse the Progression of Aggressive Mesotheliomas, Improving Druggability
13.9.2023 16:57:00 EEST | Business Wire | Press release
RS Oncology, a clinical stage biotechnology company developing innovative therapies to eradicate mesothelioma and other diseases, was part of a collaboration that recently shared new preclinical data at the IASLC 2023 World Conference on Lung Cancer in Singapore. The data, presented by Dr. Dean Fennell, represented a partnership between RS Oncology and other lead research institutions, including the University of Leicester and the Cunniff Laboratory at the University of Vermont Cancer Center.
This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230912702236/en/
“Sarcomatoid tumors are highly resistant to anti-cancer therapies, and many patients run out of available treatment options. Our findings here might have unveiled a druggable ‘Achilles Heel’ against this terrible disease,” said Dr. Fennell, presenting author on the study. Dr. Fennell and Dr. Cunniff shown at lunch during AACR conference 2023. (Photo courtesy of George Naumov)
Mesotheliomas can transform from a less aggressive epithelioid malignancy to a more aggressive sarcomatoid form. Using biphasic mesotheliomas as a model containing both epithelioid and sarcomatoid features, investigators at the University of Leicester, led by Dr. Fennell, conducted a geospatial analysis of patient tissues to explore the molecular signatures associated with the histological regions.
Using sophisticated spatial analysis tools coupled with machine learning approaches, the group found that the more aggressive sarcomatoid regions had distinct molecular signatures driving pro-tumor pathways, drug resistance, and increased metastatic potential. These findings were validated across an independent cohort of 150 mesothelioma patient tissues. Notably, tumor regions containing sarcomatoid tissue showed features of increased resistance to oxidative stress – a critical tumor cell adaptation for survival.
In collaboration with Dr. Brian Cunniff’s laboratory, the team then evaluated molecular signatures of human biphasic mesothelioma tumor cells following treatment with the irreversible PRX3 inhibitor RSO-021, which is currently being evaluated in a Phase 1/2 clinical trial in patients with malignant pleural effusion caused by advanced/metastatic solid tumors (NCT05278975). RSO-021 treatment reversed the gene signatures associated with epithelial-to-sarcomatoid transition, including downregulation of hypoxia, glycolysis, and epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT)-associated genes. These results suggest that this transition, thought to be unidirectional in nature, may be PRX3-dependent, druggable, and now reversible.
“Sarcomatoid tumors are highly resistant to anti-cancer therapies, and many patients run out of available treatment options. Our findings might have unveiled a druggable ‘Achilles Heel’ against this terrible disease,” said Dr. Fennell, presenting author on the study. “The ability to treat such tumors with RSO-021 and revert them to epithelioid malignancies could delay or even prevent emergence of the most aggressive features associated with mesothelioma. Further, RSO-021 could potentially sensitize them to other treatments.”
Presentation Details
Abstract Number: MA17.11
Session:
MA17 - Current Standards and Future Directions in Mesothelioma
Title: Spatial Transformation in Mesothelioma Involves a Hypoxia-TGF Beta-EMT Axis that is Reversible via PRX3 Inhibition
Date: Tuesday, September 12, 10:45 AM UTC +8
About RS Oncology
RS Oncology (RSO) is a clinical stage biotechnology company based in Cambridge, Massachusetts with a mission to eradicate mesothelioma and other diseases worldwide through novel science and an innovative business model.
To view this piece of content from cts.businesswire.com, please give your consent at the top of this page.
View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230912702236/en/
Contact information
Jarrett Duncan, CEO
j.duncan@rsoncology.com
About Business Wire
For more than 50 years, Business Wire has been the global leader in press release distribution and regulatory disclosure.
Subscribe to releases from Business Wire
Subscribe to all the latest releases from Business Wire by registering your e-mail address below. You can unsubscribe at any time.
Latest releases from Business Wire
LTM Launches AI 1000 to Develop the Next Generation of Forward Deployed Engineers12.6.2026 09:14:00 EEST | Press release
LTM, the Business Creativity partner to the world’s largest enterprises, today announced AI 1000, a strategic workforce transformation initiative anchored by a dedicated Center of Excellence (CoE). The program will develop a pool of 1,000+ AI-certified engineers, including Forward Deployed Engineers (FDEs), to help enterprises adopt, deploy, and scale AI. The launch comes amid a major shift in enterprise tech talent. The FDE — among the fastest-growing roles in the AI ecosystem — combines the technical knowledge of LLMs and domain SLMs with business understanding to turn ideas into quantifiable ROI accretive outcomes and to drive client adoption. AI 1000 is LTM’s structured response to this shift: it provides the training, platforms, and governed career frameworks to develop FDEs at scale. AI 1000 takes an end-to-end approach to talent development via a four-stage model: Identify, Enable, Deploy, and Govern. It starts by identifying high-potential engineers using a proprietary AI Readi
NTT DATA Group Appoints Kazuhiko Nakayama as New President and Chief Executive Officer12.6.2026 09:00:00 EEST | Press release
NTT DATA Group, a global leader in AI, digital business and technology services, today announces that the Board of Directors has approved the appointment of Kazuhiko Nakayama as NTT DATA Group’s new President and Chief Executive Officer, effective June 12, 2026. Yutaka Sasaki, former President and CEO of NTT DATA Group, will assume the role of Senior Executive Vice President of NTT, Inc., effective June 18. Serving most recently as CFO of NTT DATA Group, Nakayama brings proven leadership and a depth of expertise and experience in defining business strategy and delivering growth. He will continue to strengthen the competitive advantages of the $30+ billion business whilst accelerating it’s AI-centered growth strategy across the 70+ countries and regions in which it operates. NTT DATA Group’s growth strategy will focus on two key areas alongside its core business operations: AI‑empowered New Value & Productivity; and Next‑Generation Infrastructure. It aims to lead in areas such as Operat
Venture Global Announces Closing of $2.25 Billion of Senior Secured Notes12.6.2026 00:00:00 EEST | Press release
Venture Global LNG, Inc. (“Venture Global”) announced today that its wholly-owned subsidiary, Venture Global LNG, Inc. (the “Issuer”) has closed its offering of $1.125 billion aggregate principal amount of its 6.375% senior secured notes due 2034 (the “2034 Notes”) and $1.125 billion aggregate principal amount of its 6.625% senior secured notes due 2036 (the “2036 Notes” and, together with the 2034 Notes, the “Notes”). The Issuer used the gross proceeds from the offering to redeem all of the Issuer’s outstanding 8.125% senior secured notes due 2028 (the “Existing 2028 Notes”) and used cash on hand to pay the redemption premium and related fees and expenses for the offering and the redemption. The 2034 Notes will mature on December 15, 2034, and the 2036 Notes will mature on June 15, 2036. The Notes were issued at par. The Notes will initially not be guaranteed by any of the Issuer’s subsidiaries. In the future, certain of the Issuer’s subsidiaries that incur or guarantee certain amount
Venture Global and Atlantic-SEE Announce Expansion of Long-Term LNG Sales and Purchase Agreement with Greece11.6.2026 23:30:00 EEST | Press release
Today, Venture Global, Inc. (NYSE: VG) and ATLANTIC – SEE LNG TRADE S.A. of Greece announced an expansion of their existing Sales and Purchase Agreement (SPA) for the purchase of U.S. liquefied natural gas (LNG) from Venture Global for twenty years starting in 2030. Under the deal, Atlantic-SEE is doubling their existing contract with Venture Global from a minimum of 0.5 million tonnes per annum (MTPA) to 1.0 million tonnes per annum (MTPA). Atlantic-SEE LNG is a newly formed joint venture announced in November at the 6th Partnership for Transatlantic Energy Cooperation (PTEC) conference hosted in Athens, Greece between Greek companies AKTOR Group and DEPA Commercial. The announcement of this expanded supply agreement follows Venture Global’s previously announced investment in regasification capacity at the Alexandroupolis LNG import terminal in Greece, which currently accounts for approximately 25% of the terminal’s total capacity. The Alexandroupolis LNG FSRU receiving terminal and S
Merrithew ® Expands Global Mindful Movement Leadership with Acquisition of the GYROTONIC ® Organization11.6.2026 18:30:00 EEST | Press release
Merrithew®, a global leader in mindful movement education and equipment and creator of internationally recognized programs including STOTT PILATES®, ZEN•GA®, Halo® Training and Total Barre®, today announced the acquisition of the GYROTONIC® organization, creator of the globally respected GYROTONIC® and GYROKINESIS® methods. Founded by Juliu Horvath, the GYROTONIC® and GYROKINESIS® methods are internationally recognized for their distinctive approach to movement, combining fluidity, strength, mobility, coordination, and rehabilitation through specialized equipment and movement sequences. Practiced in studios and wellness centers worldwide, the methods have cultivated a deeply loyal global community of instructors, trainers, therapists, and movement professionals. The acquisition marks a significant milestone in Merrithew International Inc.’s growth strategy and reflects Merrithew’s commitment to growing the rapidly expanding global mindful movement category. The addition of the GYROTONI
In our pressroom you can read all our latest releases, find our press contacts, images, documents and other relevant information about us.
Visit our pressroom