Researchers at Henan University and MAXVAX Bio-tech reported in ACS Applied Bio Materials on October 28, 2026 a lipid nanoparticle with phenolic groups that holds HPV16 E6/E7 peptide antigens by hydrogen bonding, regardless of their charge, and binds manganese ions that act as an immune booster. The particles helped immune cells take up the antigens, switched on the STING pathway, and reached nearby lymph nodes after injection into muscle. In the TC-1 mouse tumor model they increased tumor-killing CD8 T cells and slowed tumor growth without visible toxicity; the work has not been tested in people.
Corbus Pharmaceuticals reported updated CRB-701 (SYS6002) Phase 1/2 data at ASCO 2026, presented by Professor Yohann Loriot (Gustave Roussy) in the May 29 4:57 PM CDT gynecological cancer session (Abstract 5508). CRB-701 — a next-generation Nectin-4 antibody-drug conjugate with a site-specific cleavable linker, drug-antibody ratio of 2, and MMAE payload — demonstrated a confirmed objective response rate of 42.9% in second-line oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC) at 3.6 mg/kg (median duration of response 6.3 months, PFS 5.6 months) and 34.4% in second-line cervical cancer (median DOR 8.0 months, PFS 4.3 months). Both tumor types express high Nectin-4 and are HPV-driven. The FDA granted CRB-701 two Fast Track designations. Corbus is on track to start the registrational TEMPO-1 study in 2L OPSCC in summer 2026 — a randomized 250-patient trial vs investigator's-choice monotherapy with ORR as the primary endpoint for potential accelerated approval. CRB-701 competes in the Nectin-4 space with Pfizer's Padcev (enfortumab vedotin) and Bicycle Therapeutics' bicyclic-peptide zelenectide pevedotin.