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

Preclinical findings released on Wednesday indicate that SIL204, a treatment developed by Israeli company Silexion Therapeutics Corp., may enhance the immune system's ability to identify and attack KRAS-driven cancers. The treatment utilizes small RNA molecules (siRNA) to suppress mutated KRAS genes, a primary driver of tumor growth in certain cancers, including approximately 90% of pancreatic cancers and 30-35% of lung adenocarcinomas. Studies on human cancer cell lines showed that SIL204 significantly increased the expression of FAS, an immune "death receptor," and reduced HLA-G, an immune checkpoint. Silexion's Chairman and CEO, Ilan Hadar, stated, "These new findings meaningfully extend and reinforce the immuno-oncology profile of SIL204." The company advanced SIL204 into Phase 2/3 clinical evaluation in late July, with an initial trial at Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center focusing on pancreatic cancer patients, with plans for expansion to other medical centers internationally.