CorriXR Therapeutics, an oncology-focused biotherapeutics company developing genetic therapies to overcome drug resistance in solid tumors, announced the publication of new preclinical data demonstrating that its CRISPR-directed disruption of the transcription factor NRF2 can restore chemosensitivity in head and neck as well as esophageal squamous cell carcinoma models. The findings, published in Molecular Therapy Oncology, build on prior data from lung cancer models and were conducted in collaboration with ChristianaCare’s Gene Editing Institute. The study highlights how targeting NRF2 can dismantle protective mechanisms in tumor cells and potentially enhance patient responses to standard chemotherapy.
Health Technology Insights: Hyperfine Announces Regulatory Approval of the Swoop System in India
Eric B Kmiec, Ph.D., Founder and Chief Executive Officer of CorriXR Therapeutics and Executive Director of the Gene Editing Institute, explained that patients with solid tumors often have limited treatment options once their cancers develop resistance to chemotherapy. He noted that CorriXR’s first-in-class gene editing approach suggests that precise disruption of NRF2 may reopen opportunities for standard treatments, possibly at lower doses, improving disease control and reducing side effects for patients.
NRF2 plays a central role in cellular stress responses and is a recognized driver of chemotherapy resistance across multiple cancer types, making it a high-value target that has historically been difficult to treat with conventional drugs. CorriXR is now advancing key studies to support an Investigational New Drug filing for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma, which represents a significant first clinical indication.
Health Technology Insights: Rona Launches First Bi-valent PCSK9-LPA siRNA for Heart Risk
Head and neck cancer, most of which is HNSCC, ranks as the seventh most common cancer worldwide, with global incidence expected to reach one million new cases by 2030. About half of patients experience recurrence within two years, highlighting the urgent need for therapies that can overcome treatment resistance. CorriXR plans to complete additional in vivo studies in combination with chemotherapy and radiation during the first half of 2026.
In the study, researchers used CRISPR/Cas9 complexes to disrupt NRF2 in hypopharyngeal and esophageal squamous cell carcinoma cell lines. They assessed gene editing efficiency, NRF2 pathway activity, and response to cisplatin and 5-fluorouracil. The results showed high on-target editing, substantial reductions in NRF2 protein, downregulation of stress response genes, and a significant restoration of chemosensitivity. Disruption of NRF2 alone was sufficient to prevent activation of protective tumor genes, and the enhanced chemosensitivity persisted over time, providing a treatment window for combination therapy. The selection of the CRISPR target site was also shown to influence which cells are affected and the functional impact on NRF2, offering an approach that is independent of genetic mutations in tumor cells.
Natalia Rivera-Torres, Ph.D., Associate Director of Research at GEI and lead author of the study, emphasized that these findings reinforce previous data demonstrating that tumor-specific NRF2 editing in lung cancer models can resensitize tumors to standard chemotherapy and reduce tumor growth. Kmiec added that the most promising aspect of this work is that it gives existing drugs a second chance to work in resistant tumors, potentially allowing patients to benefit longer from established treatments with improved quality of life.
Health Technology Insights: Wealth Enhancement to Acquire Wealth Advocates with $476 Million AUM
To participate in our interviews, please write to our HealthTech Media Room at info@intentamplify.com
