New Research Highlights Promising Targeted Therapy for Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma
New Research Highlights Promising Targeted Therapy for Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma
San Diego, California, July 19, 2025 – Sapu Biosciences, LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of GMP Biotechnology Limited, has announced new findings in collaboration with Oncotelic Therapeutics, Inc. (OTCQB: OTLC), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on targeted RNA and small molecule therapies for cancer and rare diseases.
The latest research, published in the International Journal of Molecular Sciences (IJMS), evaluates the prognostic significance of TGFB2 expression and promoter methylation in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). The study, titled "TGFB2 Expression and Methylation Predict Overall Survival in Patients with Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma," identifies crucial markers that may help predict outcomes and guide targeted therapy strategies for this aggressive cancer.
Key Research Insights
Clinical data from the OT-101 P001 PDAC study indicate that targeting TGFB2 could be especially beneficial for younger PDAC patients. Among those with lower IL-6 levels, the median overall survival (OS) reached 12.7 months. These findings highlight the importance of patient stratification for optimizing treatment approaches.
Expert Perspectives
Dr. Wasif Saif, co-author of the study and director at the Eisenberg Center for Translational Therapeutics at the Karmanos Cancer Institute, emphasized the practicality of using TGFB2 status to refine patient selection and design more precise, age-focused clinical trials. Dr. Saif stated, "High TGFB2 expression is significantly linked to shorter overall survival (OS) in patients younger than 65—median OS was 17.9 months for those with high TGFB2, compared to 66.9 months for those with low expression. Interestingly, this correlation was not observed in older patients." He also noted that increased TGFB2 promoter methylation was associated with improved survival among younger patients.
Clinical trials involving OT-101, an antisense oligonucleotide specifically targeting TGFB2, support these observations. Data revealed that younger PDAC patients receiving OT-101 had better survival outcomes compared to untreated controls. These findings position TGFB2 not just as a marker, but as a key stratification factor for identifying high-risk, younger PDAC patients who may benefit from targeted therapies.
Reference:
This information is based on company data and the IJMS paper, "TGFB2 Expression and Methylation Predict Overall Survival in Patients with Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma" (Saif et al., 2025).
This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice.
