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

Israeli biotech company Silexion Therapeutics Corp. has developed a treatment called SIL204, which may bolster the immune system's ability to combat KRAS-driven cancers, according to recent preclinical findings. SIL204 employs small RNA molecules, known as siRNA, to diminish the expression of mutated KRAS genes, a primary driver of tumor growth in certain cancer patients.

KRAS mutations are prevalent, affecting about 90% of pancreatic cancers and 30-35% of lung adenocarcinomas. In tests on human cancer cell lines representing three distinct KRAS mutations, SIL204 treatment resulted in a statistically significant rise in FAS expression, an immune "death receptor" that triggers programmed cell death.

Concurrently, SIL204 treatment led to a substantial drop in HLA-G expression, an immune checkpoint molecule. These results enhance Silexion's immuno-oncology profile, as initially reported in May, suggesting the potential for further evaluation of SIL204 in combination with anti-PD-(L)1 checkpoint inhibitor therapies, particularly in cancers like pancreatic cancer where single-agent therapies have shown limited efficacy.

Silexion recently advanced SIL204 into Phase 2/3 clinical evaluation, commencing the first trial at Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center in July. Following initial testing at this single hospital, the trial is anticipated to broaden to medical centers in Israel, Germany, and other nations.