NuCana presents data at ESMO 2025 for NUC-7738, PD-1 inhibitors

NuCana (NCNA) presented data at the European Society for Medical Oncology Congress 2025, ESMO, on a new model system investigating the synergistic effects of NUC-7738 and PD-1 inhibition in primary organoids derived from patients with renal cell carcinoma. Using patient-derived organoids from ten patients with RCC and autologous tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes, co-culture experiments reveal that NUC-7738 enhances the effectiveness of PD-1 inhibitors, resulting in increased tumor cell killing. This combinatorial approach may offer a new option for cancers that no longer respond to anti-PD-1 therapy by targeting multiple aspects of the tumor microenvironment through the disruption of RNA polyadenylation and subsequent changes in cancer cell gene expression. The data presented at ESMO reinforces the mechanism of action for NUC-7738 as observed in the ongoing Phase 1/2 NuTide:701 clinical study. Data to date from NuTide:701 have demonstrated a favorable safety profile, meaningful tumor volume reduction, and prolonged progression-free survival in patients with PD-1 inhibitor refractory and resistant metastatic melanoma.