TransCode and Quantum Leap Collaborate on Phase 2a Trial Targeting Colorectal Cancer Recurrence

TransCode Therapeutics Inc. and Quantum Leap Healthcare Collaborative announced a collaboration to evaluate TransCode's lead therapeutic candidate TTX-MC138 in the PRE-I-SPY Phase 2a clinical trial platform. The study plans to enroll up to 45 colorectal cancer patients who are ctDNA positive following standard curative-intent therapy, beginning in the first half of 2026. This trial addresses a critical unmet need in oncology by targeting the micrometastatic disease that often leads to treatment failure and mortality.

The trial will be led by Dr. Paula Pohlmann of MD Anderson Cancer Center and will assess the biological and clinical activity of TTX-MC138 in the minimal residual disease setting. This represents a significant advancement in cancer treatment as it targets patients with high recurrence risk and limited therapeutic options, reflecting growing interest in precision treatments targeting micrometastatic disease. For colorectal cancer patients with minimal residual disease detected through ctDNA testing, current options are limited despite the high risk of recurrence.

TransCode Therapeutics is a clinical stage company pioneering immunoncology and RNA therapeutic treatments of high risk and advanced cancers. The company's lead therapeutic candidate, TTX-MC138, focuses on treating metastatic tumors that overexpress microRNA-10b, a unique, well-documented biomarker of metastasis. This collaboration with Quantum Leap Healthcare Collaborative represents an important step in validating this approach for colorectal cancer patients who have completed standard treatment but remain at high risk for recurrence.

The PRE-I-SPY trial platform represents an innovative approach to cancer drug development, allowing for the evaluation of promising therapies in specific patient populations. The collaboration between TransCode and Quantum Leap brings together expertise in RNA therapeutics and clinical trial design, potentially accelerating the development of new treatment options for cancer patients. Additional information about TransCode Therapeutics and updates relating to RNAZ can be found in the company's newsroom at https://ibn.fm/RNAZ.

This partnership highlights the growing importance of precision medicine approaches in oncology, particularly for patients who have completed initial treatment but remain at high risk for disease progression. By targeting specific biomarkers like microRNA-10b, researchers hope to develop more effective treatments for metastatic disease, which remains a leading cause of cancer mortality worldwide. The trial's focus on minimal residual disease represents a paradigm shift in cancer treatment, moving beyond traditional approaches to address the microscopic disease that often escapes detection and treatment. The full press release detailing this collaboration is available at https://ibn.fm/iX3ak.