Kairos Pharma Presents Preclinical Data on its Investigational Compounds KROS 101 and KROS 401 Further Supporting Both Compounds’ Potential as Therapeutics for Melanoma and Glioblastoma
Kairos Pharma (NYSE: KAPA) presented preclinical data on two investigational compounds at the AACR IO conference in Los Angeles (Feb 23-26, 2025). The first compound, KROS 101, a GITR agonist, showed significant tumor growth inhibition in melanoma models and demonstrated superior anti-tumor activity compared to TRX518. It increased helper and cytotoxic T cell proliferation while preventing T cell exhaustion in tumors.
The second compound, KROS 401, a peptide inhibitor, showed promise in reprogramming macrophages to inhibit tumor growth. Studies revealed anti-tumor effects in glioma-bearing mice by decreasing M2 macrophages that typically facilitate tumor growth. The research indicates potential therapeutic applications for both melanoma and glioblastoma treatment.
Kairos Pharma (NYSE: KAPA) ha presentato dati preclinici su due composti in fase di sperimentazione alla conferenza AACR IO a Los Angeles (23-26 febbraio 2025). Il primo composto, KROS 101, un agonista del GITR, ha mostrato un'inibizione significativa della crescita tumorale nei modelli di melanoma e ha dimostrato una superiore attività anti-tumorale rispetto a TRX518. Ha aumentato la proliferazione delle cellule T helper e citotossiche, prevenendo l'esaurimento delle cellule T nei tumori.
Il secondo composto, KROS 401, un inibitore peptidico, ha mostrato promesse nel riprogrammare i macrofagi per inibire la crescita tumorale. Gli studi hanno rivelato effetti anti-tumorali in topi portatori di glioma, riducendo i macrofagi M2 che tipicamente facilitano la crescita tumorale. La ricerca indica potenziali applicazioni terapeutiche per il trattamento sia del melanoma che del glioblastoma.
Kairos Pharma (NYSE: KAPA) presentó datos preclínicos sobre dos compuestos en investigación en la conferencia AACR IO en Los Ángeles (23-26 de febrero de 2025). El primer compuesto, KROS 101, un agonista de GITR, mostró una inhibición significativa del crecimiento tumoral en modelos de melanoma y demostró una actividad anti-tumoral superior en comparación con TRX518. Aumentó la proliferación de células T auxiliares y citotóxicas, mientras prevenía el agotamiento de células T en los tumores.
El segundo compuesto, KROS 401, un inhibidor peptídico, mostró promesas en la reprogramación de macrófagos para inhibir el crecimiento tumoral. Los estudios revelaron efectos anti-tumorales en ratones con glioma al disminuir los macrófagos M2 que típicamente facilitan el crecimiento tumoral. La investigación indica aplicaciones terapéuticas potenciales para el tratamiento tanto del melanoma como del glioblastoma.
카이로스 제약 (NYSE: KAPA)는 로스앤젤레스에서 열린 AACR IO 컨퍼런스(2025년 2월 23-26일)에서 두 가지 연구 중인 화합물에 대한 전임상 데이터를 발표했습니다. 첫 번째 화합물인 KROS 101는 GITR 작용제로, 멜라노마 모델에서 상당한 종양 성장 억제를 보여주었고, TRX518에 비해 우수한 항종양 활성을 입증했습니다. 이는 보조 T 세포와 세포 독성 T 세포의 증식을 증가시키고, 종양 내 T 세포의 피로를 예방했습니다.
두 번째 화합물인 KROS 401는 펩타이드 억제제로, 종양 성장을 억제하기 위해 대식세포를 재프로그래밍하는 데 가능성을 보여주었습니다. 연구 결과, 일반적으로 종양 성장을 촉진하는 M2 대식세포를 감소시켜 신경교종을 가진 생쥐에서 항종양 효과를 나타냈습니다. 이 연구는 멜라노마 및 신경교종 치료를 위한 잠재적인 치료 응용 가능성을 시사합니다.
Kairos Pharma (NYSE: KAPA) a présenté des données précliniques sur deux composés en cours d'investigation lors de la conférence AACR IO à Los Angeles (23-26 février 2025). Le premier composé, KROS 101, un agoniste du GITR, a montré une inhibition significative de la croissance tumorale dans des modèles de mélanome et a démontré une activité anti-tumorale supérieure par rapport à TRX518. Il a augmenté la prolifération des cellules T auxiliaires et cytotoxiques tout en prévenant l'épuisement des cellules T dans les tumeurs.
Le deuxième composé, KROS 401, un inhibiteur peptidique, a montré des promesses dans le reprogrammation des macrophages pour inhiber la croissance tumorale. Les études ont révélé des effets anti-tumoraux chez des souris porteuses de gliome en diminuant les macrophages M2 qui facilitent généralement la croissance tumorale. La recherche indique des applications thérapeutiques potentielles pour le traitement du mélanome et du glioblastome.
Kairos Pharma (NYSE: KAPA) präsentierte präklinische Daten zu zwei in der Erprobung befindlichen Verbindungen auf der AACR IO-Konferenz in Los Angeles (23.-26. Februar 2025). Die erste Verbindung, KROS 101, ein GITR-Agonist, zeigte eine signifikante Hemmung des Tumorwachstums in Melanommodellen und demonstrierte eine überlegene anti-tumorale Aktivität im Vergleich zu TRX518. Sie erhöhte die Proliferation von Helfer- und zytotoxischen T-Zellen und verhinderte die Erschöpfung von T-Zellen in Tumoren.
Die zweite Verbindung, KROS 401, ein Peptid-Inhibitor, zeigte vielversprechende Ergebnisse bei der Reprogrammierung von Makrophagen zur Hemmung des Tumorwachstums. Studien ergaben anti-tumorale Effekte bei Mäusen mit Gliom, indem die M2-Makrophagen, die typischerweise das Tumorwachstum fördern, verringert wurden. Die Forschung deutet auf potenzielle therapeutische Anwendungen sowohl für die Behandlung von Melanomen als auch von Glioblastomen hin.
- KROS 101 demonstrated superior anti-tumor activity vs competitor TRX518
- KROS 101 successfully prevented T cell exhaustion in tumors
- KROS 401 showed effective anti-tumor results in glioma models
- Both compounds showed positive preclinical outcomes for multiple cancer types
- Still in preclinical stage, requiring further clinical trials
- No human trial data available yet
Insights
Kairos Pharma has presented compelling preclinical data for two investigational compounds targeting critical immune pathways in cancer treatment. The company's GITR agonist KROS 101 demonstrated significant anti-tumor activity in melanoma models while overcoming a major obstacle in cancer immunotherapy - T cell exhaustion.
T cell exhaustion represents a fundamental challenge in cancer treatment where initially active tumor-fighting T cells gradually lose functionality within the hostile tumor microenvironment. KROS 101 not only outperformed a previously clinically-tested antibody (TRX518) but specifically prevented this exhaustion phenomenon, potentially maintaining sustained anti-tumor activity.
Similarly, the company's macrophage-targeting peptide KROS 401 showed promise by reprogramming tumor-associated macrophages from a tumor-promoting M2 state to a tumor-fighting M1 phenotype in glioma models. This approach tackles another key immunosuppressive mechanism in the tumor microenvironment.
For investors, these findings represent potential value-creation milestones for this microcap company (
- These remain early preclinical results with significant development hurdles ahead
- The timeline to potential revenue-generating therapies likely spans several years
- Funding the development of multiple compounds simultaneously may present financial challenges
- Both targeted indications (melanoma and glioblastoma) represent substantial markets with significant unmet needs
While encouraging, these results should be viewed as scientific validation steps rather than near-term commercial catalysts. The company will need to demonstrate these mechanisms translate to human efficacy in clinical trials, which typically requires substantial additional capital and time. The data may, however, enhance partnership opportunities with larger pharmaceutical companies seeking novel immuno-oncology assets.
Kairos Pharma's preclinical data reveals strategic positioning in the competitive immuno-oncology landscape through two compounds targeting complementary immune pathways in cancer.
The company's GITR agonist KROS 101 addresses a mechanism that has attracted significant industry interest but proven challenging to translate clinically. Several larger companies have pursued GITR agonists with disappointing clinical results, primarily due to the persistent problem of T cell exhaustion. What distinguishes Kairos' approach is the compound's demonstrated ability to prevent T cell exhaustion - potentially overcoming the key limitation that has hindered competitors' efforts.
Similarly, KROS 401 targets macrophage polarization - an emerging area in immuno-oncology where few approved therapies exist. By reprogramming tumor-associated macrophages from tumor-promoting to tumor-fighting phenotypes, this compound could complement T cell-directed therapies and potentially enhance responses in immunologically "cold" tumors resistant to current immunotherapies.
From an immunological perspective, this dual-platform approach targeting both adaptive (T cells) and innate (macrophages) immunity represents sophisticated immunotherapy development for a company of this size.
The focus on melanoma and glioblastoma is strategically sound:
- Melanoma has proven responsive to immunotherapy but significant unmet needs remain for resistant cases
- Glioblastoma represents one of oncology's most challenging indications with minimal effective immunotherapy options
For investors, these promising preclinical results must be balanced against development realities. The transition from animal models to human efficacy remains a significant hurdle where many compounds fail. With a
In the presentation, titled “KROS 101: A Next Generation GITR agonist boosting anti-tumor T cell responses and reprogramming the tumor environment,” study authors demonstrated that KROS significantly inhibited tumor growth in a preclinical melanoma model. The same team of scientists also showed that KROS 101 increased the proliferation of helper and cytotoxic T cells (CD4+ and CD8+), while decreasing T reg cell growth in a melanoma model. Further, T cells treated with KROS 101 showed cytotoxicity against glioblastoma cell lines and glioma cancer cells, which study authors, Admasu, et. al., concluded KROS 101 demonstrated potent anti-tumor activity compared to a previously used antibody against the GITR receptor TRX518 that was in clinical trials. Most importantly, the authors demonstrated KROS 101 but not TRX518 to prevent the exhaustion of T cells in the tumor.
The second presentation, titled, “Targeting M2 macrophage polarization: The anti-tumor effects of IL-4/IL-13 blocking peptide and iron oxide nanoparticles,” demonstrated the Company’s peptide inhibitor KROS 401 may effectively reprogram macrophages – types of white blood cell of the innate immune system that engulf and digest pathogens, such as cancer cells, microbes, cellular debris and foreign substances – to inhibit tumor growth. The preclinical study demonstrated that KROS 401 exhibited an anti-tumor effect in glioma-bearing mice following a decrease in M2 macrophages, which are known to facilitate tumor growth.
Dr. John Yu, CEO of Kairos Pharma and co-inventor, commented, “We continue to receive validation of our preclinical data demonstrating our KROS platform’s development of anti-tumor therapies. KROS 101 addresses an Achilles' heel of all T cell immunotherapies and that is the development of exhaustion in anti-tumor T cells. KROS 101 appears to prevent the development of exhaustion by T cells enabling them to continue to kill tumor cells.”
Dr. Ram Murali, VP of Research and Development stated, “KROS 401 is designed to reverse the M1 to M2 transition of macrophages in the tumor microenviroment. What this translates to is changing pro-tumor macrophages into anti-tumor macrophages. This leads to tumor-killing activity by both macrophages and T cells.”
The American Association for Cancer Research Immuno-Oncology (AACR IO) encompasses the very best of basic, translational, and clinical research in immunology, inflammation, and immunotherapies for cancer, including immuno-oncology (IO) drugs, inflammatory modulators, vaccines, and cellular therapies. The cutting-edge AACR IO 2025 program will appeal to a wide audience of basic scientists, translational researchers, clinical investigators, regulators, industry, investors, and lay press. A mix of keynote lectures, major symposia, spotlight sessions, educational sessions, special sessions, and poster sessions with exhibits will cover the spectrum of the IO field—including late-breaking clinical trials sessions highlighting new agents and IO combinations, and the results of practice-changing clinical trials.
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CORE IR
Louie Toma
investors@kairospharma.com
Source: Kairos Pharma, Ltd
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