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Whitehawk Therapeutics Unveils Groundbreaking Analysis of PTK7 at AACR-NCI-EORTC

At the AACR-NCI-EORTC International Conference on Molecular Targets and Cancer Therapeutics, Whitehawk Therapeutics, Inc. introduced compelling data indicating that PTK7 (Protein Tyrosine Kinase 7) emerges as a significant target across solid tumors. This innovative analysis, part of a collaboration with Tempus AI, assessed vast amounts of real-world data, marking a pivotal step in cancer research.

PTK7: An Overview

PTK7, classified as a pseudokinase, plays a crucial role in early embryonic development and exhibits restricted expression in adult tissues. However, it is frequently overexpressed in various cancers. With approximately 70% of solid tumors expressing PTK7, it becomes clear that this marker holds invaluable potential in guiding therapeutic strategies.

Key Findings from the Analysis

The analysis comprised data from over 157,000 tumor samples, including nearly half from metastatic lesions. Here are some noteworthy findings:

• - PTK7's Presence: Detected in about 70% of solid tumors, PTK7 ranks as the third most prevalent tumor marker among clinically validated targets, following HER2 and HER3.
• - Most Affected Cancers: The highest median expression levels were identified in endometrial (7.4), ovarian (7.2), head and neck (7.1), non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) (6.9), and breast (6.7) tumors.
• - Stable Expression: PTK7 exhibited stable expression across various disease stages and metastatic statuses, indicating its relevance in both early and advanced disease contexts.
• - Comparative Analysis: In lung cancer, PTK7 expression levels align closely with HER2, HER3, Trop-2, and cMET, showcasing its potential as a competitive ADC target.

The Promise of HWK-007

Following these insights, Whitehawk is advancing HWK-007, an ADC designed to target PTK7. Built on a state-of-the-art platform, HWK-007 employs a stable cleavable linker to effectively deliver a Topoisomerase I (TOPO1) inhibitor. The company anticipates submitting an Investigational New Drug (IND) application to the U.S. FDA by the year’s end, with plans for initial clinical evaluations in NSCLC, ovarian, and endometrial cancers.

Grace Dy, MD, a leading figure in thoracic oncology, emphasized the implications of these findings, stating, "These results underscore the translational potential of PTK7 as a broadly expressed target, consistently demonstrating expression across multiple tumor types and stages." This highlights the developing rationale for next-generation ADCs, broadening patient access across diverse cancer types.

A Bright Future in Cancer Treatment

Whitehawk’s president Dave Lennon, PhD, affirmed the company’s commitment to exploring PTK7 as a target in oncology, pointing out that around 750,000 patients in the U.S. are diagnosed with cancers expressing PTK7. "The opportunity for HWK-007 has never been clearer," he noted, signifying the potential impact on improving patient outcomes in oncology.

In summary, the work by Whitehawk Therapeutics not only reinforces the clinical relevance of PTK7 but also symbolizes a significant advancement in the landscape of cancer therapies. The ongoing development of HWK-007 holds promise as a future tool in combating various hard-to-treat cancers.