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ReportContext is everything: how spatial biology is changing our understanding of disease
Researchers can now analyse individual cells in extraordinary detail, yet understanding disease often requires more than studying cells in isolation. This report explores how spatial biology is revealing aspects of disease biology that cannot be captured through individual cells alone, and what that could mean for biomarker discovery, immunotherapy and drug development.
ArticleFlow-based human tumour models reveal immune responses missed by static culture
Static cultures may not tell the whole story when it comes to immunotherapy performance. Results from the Mera™ flow-based human tissue model show stronger T-cell activity and cytokine responses under physiological flow, highlighting the role of dynamic immune–tumour interactions in preclinical testing.
ArticleAACR 2026 part two: integrating AI, spatial biology and next-gen therapeutics
In part two of our AACR 2026 coverage, industry leaders were focussed on how the field is no longer constrained by data generation or molecular design, but by the challenge of connecting systems, standardising workflows and ensuring biological insights.
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Flow-based human tumour models reveal immune responses missed by static culture
Static cultures may not tell the whole story when it comes to immunotherapy performance. Results from the Mera™ flow-based human tissue model show stronger T-cell activity and cytokine responses under physiological flow, highlighting the role of dynamic immune–tumour interactions in preclinical testing.
AACR 2026 part two: integrating AI, spatial biology and next-gen therapeutics
In part two of our AACR 2026 coverage, industry leaders were focussed on how the field is no longer constrained by data generation or molecular design, but by the challenge of connecting systems, standardising workflows and ensuring biological insights.
Why AI models need patient data to deliver in drug discovery
Despite rapid advances in AI, many drug discovery models still struggle to translate computational predictions into clinical outcomes. Thomas Clozel explains how Owkin is training AI on large-scale patient-derived data while integrating experimental and clinical validation directly into model development.
More Oncology
Context is everything: how spatial biology is changing our understanding of disease
Researchers can now analyse individual cells in extraordinary detail, yet understanding disease often requires more than studying cells in isolation. This report explores how spatial biology is revealing aspects of disease biology that cannot be captured through individual cells alone, and what that could mean for biomarker discovery, immunotherapy and drug development.
Flow-based human tumour models reveal immune responses missed by static culture
Static cultures may not tell the whole story when it comes to immunotherapy performance. Results from the Mera™ flow-based human tissue model show stronger T-cell activity and cytokine responses under physiological flow, highlighting the role of dynamic immune–tumour interactions in preclinical testing.
AACR 2026 part two: integrating AI, spatial biology and next-gen therapeutics
In part two of our AACR 2026 coverage, industry leaders were focussed on how the field is no longer constrained by data generation or molecular design, but by the challenge of connecting systems, standardising workflows and ensuring biological insights.
Why AI models need patient data to deliver in drug discovery
Despite rapid advances in AI, many drug discovery models still struggle to translate computational predictions into clinical outcomes. Thomas Clozel explains how Owkin is training AI on large-scale patient-derived data while integrating experimental and clinical validation directly into model development.
AACR 2026 part one: AI design, precision biology and the next wave of oncology innovation
At AACR 2026, industry leaders discussed how oncology R&D is moving beyond isolated technological advances towards integrated discovery systems.
AI builds dual-action cancer drug targeting PKMYT1
Research published in Nature Communications shows how generative AI can be used to design complex dual-action cancer drug candidates. Insilico Medicine has developed a PKMYT1 degrader that both eliminates the target protein and blocks its activity, demonstrating the growing role of AI in advanced drug discovery.
Improving selectivity in antibody–drug conjugates
Promatix Biosciences is developing a new generation of bispecific antibody–drug conjugates using proprietary membrane proteomics data to identify highly selective target pairings. CEO Dr Michael Hunter explains how the company’s TXPro database enables discovery of previously unexplored tumour biology to improve therapeutic index and reduce on-target/off-tumour toxicities in solid tumours.
Blocking cathepsin B protein enhances CAR T-cell therapy effectiveness
University of Maryland researchers have discovered that blocking cathepsin B protein prevents CAR T-cells from losing effectiveness, potentially improving long-term outcomes for blood cancer patients. The preclinical findings reveal that engineered immune cells inadvertently weaken themselves by acquiring tumour fragments, a process that can be prevented through targeted protein inhibition.
LabGenius and LG Chem partner on AI-driven cancer antibodies
LabGenius Therapeutics has partnered with LG Chem to develop next-generation multispecific antibodies targeting solid tumours. The collaboration combines AI-driven drug discovery with oncology development expertise to identify therapeutics with improved selectivity and reduced toxicity.
New framework standardises glioma organoid research for translational studies
A collaborative review published in Neuro-Oncology establishes a unified classification system for glioma organoid models, addressing inconsistent terminology and methodology across the rapidly expanding field.
Cytokine-armoured CAR T cells target glioblastoma while reducing treatment toxicity
UCLA Health researchers have developed cytokine-armoured CAR T cells that directly attack glioblastoma tumours whilst recruiting the body’s wider immune system. The engineered cells showed improved tumour control in mouse models and could address antigen heterogeneity challenges that have limited CAR T therapy success in solid tumours.
Radiotherapy boosts CAR T cell survival in solid tumours
Mount Sinai researchers have discovered that focused irradiation significantly enhances CAR T cell therapy effectiveness in solid tumours by promoting dendritic cell-mediated antigen presentation, enabling sustained immune cell expansion within the tumour microenvironment whilst minimising off-target toxicity.
Notch2 enables breast cancer dormancy in protective bone marrow niches
New research has demonstrated how breast cancer cells exploit protective bone marrow niches to remain dormant for years, identifying Notch2 signalling and stem cell-like markers as key regulators of cellular dormancy that could inform therapeutic strategies to prevent relapse.
Ferroptosis emerges as strategy against treatment-resistant digestive cancers
Researchers are investigating ferroptosis, an iron-dependent cell death pathway, as a potential approach to overcome treatment resistance in digestive cancers.
Gene-based CIN score predicts breast cancer survival and immunotherapy response
A 13-gene chromosomal instability scoring system developed by Shanghai researchers correlates with survival outcomes and immunotherapy response in breast cancer patients.
Platinum-antibody conjugates enhance immunotherapy while reducing chemotherapy toxicity
A novel platinum(IV)-antibody conjugate platform delivers low-dose chemotherapy directly to tumours, upregulating MHC-I expression and enhancing anti-PD-1 responses while minimising systemic exposure. The approach addresses immune evasion mechanisms that limit checkpoint inhibitor efficacy.