Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital

TUESDAY, Sept. 3, 2024 -- The saccule-to-utricle ratio inversion may serve as an effective imaging marker for diagnosis of early-stage Meniere disease, according to a study published online July 27 in The Laryngoscope . Wenting Deng, M.D., from Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hospital at Sun Yat-Sen University in Guangzhou, China, and colleagues compared the saccule-to-utricle ratio inversion in patients with early-stage (56 patients) versus late-stage (70 patients) Meniere disease based on magnetic resonance imaging. The researchers found that 46.43 percent of the early-stage group showed an enlarged saccule that was larger than the utricle, with saccule-to-utricle ratio inversion. In the late-stage Meniere disease group, only four individuals (5.71 percent) showed saccule-to-utricle ratio inversion. Within the early-stage Meniere disease subgroup, those with a disease duration of no more than six months had a higher proportion of saccule-to-utricle ratio inversion than the subgroup with a disease duration of more than six months (70 versus 33.33 percent). "Saccule-to-utricle ratio inversion may serve as an effective imaging marker for diagnosis of early-stage Meniere disease," the authors write. "Our finding suggests that endolymphatic hydrops in Meniere disease may primarily originate from the saccule."

SHANGHAI, Nov. 7, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- BioRay Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as BioRay) announced that the first patient has been dosed in the Phase I Clinical trial of BRY812, a third-generation antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) targeting LIV-1 for the treatment of advanced malignant tumors. The leading institution of this clinical trial is Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, and the principal investigators are academician Song Erwei and Professor Yao Herui. LIV-1, also known as SLC39A6 or ZIP6, is a multipass transmembrane protein belonging to the ZIP superfamily of zinc transporters, possesses zinc transporter and metalloproteinase activities. LIV-1 directly participates in the homeostasis metabolism of intracellular zinc ions, facilitating the transport of zinc ions from the extracellular space or intracellular organelles to the cytoplasm, influencing cell growth. To date, there are no approved drugs worldwide that target LIV-1, making BioRay's BRY812 the first LIV-1 ADC in China and the second to enter clinical trials globally. BRY812 uses the proprietary CysLink™ irreversible chemical conjugation technology platform and highly stable linker to conjugate the antibody with the toxin. BRY812 has shown significant tumor growth inhibition in preclinical studies, and demonstrated excellent anti-tumor activity that is potentially superior to similar drugs. Compared to other drugs of the same class, it exhibits higher circulation stability, effective release of the payload within the tumor while significantly reducing toxin shedding and exchange in serum. This provides BRY812 with a great safety profile and an improved therapeutic window. Furthermore, BRY812 can also induce immunogenic cell death (ICD) and enhance the anti-tumor effects of immunotherapies such as anti-PD-(L)1. Dr. Zhu Wei, CMO of BioRay, stated, " The significant market potential of ADCs requires differentiation in the market competition and expanding coverage to a broader patient population. As the first domestic ADC targeting LIV-1 to enter clinical trials, BRY812 is expected to treat various advanced malignant tumors, meet more clinical medication needs, and provide more treatment options for patients." About BioRay BioRay is a pioneer in China's biopharmaceutical industry focusing on immune-mediated diseases. Its extensive autoimmune and oncology portfolio includes six marketed products and over 10 clinical-stage drug candidates. Operating a fully integrated platform with end-to-end capabilities across drug discovery, clinical development, manufacturing, and commercialization, BioRay has over 1,500 employees globally, with main sites in Taizhou, Hangzhou, Shanghai, and San Diego. SOURCE BioRay Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd