SIL204 treatment may help immune system attack KRAS-driven tumors, research finds - exclusive

Silexion Therapeutics released preclinical findings showing SIL204 may help the immune system attack KRAS-driven tumors. The siRNA treatment increased FAS death receptor and reduced HLA-G checkpoint in cell lines. SIL204 advanced to Phase 2/3 trials at Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center.

Silexion Therapeutics, an Israeli company, released preclinical findings on Wednesday showing that its treatment SIL204 may help the immune system identify and attack KRAS-driven cancers. The treatment uses small RNA molecules (siRNA) to suppress mutated KRAS genes, which are present in about 90% of pancreatic cancers and 30-35% of lung adenocarcinomas. In studies on human cancer cell lines, SIL204 led to statistically significant increases in FAS, an immune death receptor, and reductions in HLA-G, an immune checkpoint. The company's CEO, Ilan Hadar, said the findings support further evaluation of SIL204 in combination with checkpoint inhibitors. SIL204 recently advanced to Phase 2/3 clinical evaluation, with a trial starting at Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center for pancreatic cancer, expected to expand to other centers in Israel, Germany, and other countries.