Story perspectives

New Immunotherapy GlyTR Targets Cancer Cells, Human Trials Ahead

9/26/2025

Summary

Story summary

Researchers at UC Irvine, led by Dr. Michael Demetriou, developed GlyTR, a new class of immunotherapeutics targeting cancer-associated glycans to selectively kill cancer cells.
GlyTR1 and GlyTR2 demonstrated effectiveness against breast, colon, lung, and pancreatic cancers in models.
A decade of research culminated in a study published in *Cell*, indicating a potential shift in cancer treatment.
Human trials are planned, with GlyTR1 manufacturing underway for a phase 1 trial in two years.
The project secured significant funding, including a $4.6 million grant from the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine.

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Story summary

Researchers at UC Irvine, led by Dr. Michael Demetriou, developed GlyTR, a new class of immunotherapeutics targeting cancer-associated glycans to selectively kill cancer cells.
GlyTR1 and GlyTR2 demonstrated effectiveness against breast, colon, lung, and pancreatic cancers in models.
A decade of research culminated in a study published in *Cell*, indicating a potential shift in cancer treatment.
Human trials are planned, with GlyTR1 manufacturing underway for a phase 1 trial in two years.
The project secured significant funding, including a $4.6 million grant from the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine.