Accent Therapeutics Presents Promising Data on Novel KIF18A Inhibitor ATX-295 at AACR

Preclinical results demonstrate robust anti-cancer activity of ATX-295 in chromosomally unstable tumor models

Apr. 17, 2026 at 7:21pm

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An extreme close-up X-ray image revealing the intricate, ghostly structure of a mitotic kinesin motor protein, conceptually representing the mechanism of action of a new cancer therapy targeting chromosomal instability.A novel cancer therapy targets the internal machinery of chromosomally unstable tumor cells, exposing a fundamental vulnerability.San Diego Today

Accent Therapeutics, a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company, presented preclinical data at the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) Annual Meeting 2026 supporting the therapeutic potential of its novel KIF18A inhibitor, ATX-295. The data demonstrated potent in vitro activity and robust, durable tumor regression in patient-derived xenograft models of high-grade serous ovarian cancer, squamous non-small cell lung cancer, and triple-negative breast cancer exhibiting chromosomal instability. The results also included proof of concept for an AI-based method to rapidly detect whole-genome doubling, a predictive biomarker of tumor sensitivity to ATX-295.

Why it matters

Chromosomal instability is a fundamental vulnerability in many aggressive cancers, and KIF18A inhibition represents a promising therapeutic approach to target this instability. The preclinical data on ATX-295 suggest it could address a large patient population across several cancer indications with high unmet need, including ovarian and lung cancer. The development of an AI-based biomarker to identify patients most likely to respond to ATX-295 could also help guide clinical use and maximize the impact of this potentially transformative therapy.

The details

Accent's presentation included preclinical data demonstrating the potent in vitro activity of ATX-295 in cell lines of high-grade serous ovarian cancer, squamous non-small cell lung cancer, and triple-negative breast cancer, leading to cell cycle arrest and apoptosis. In patient-derived xenograft models of these tumor types exhibiting whole-genome doubling, ATX-295 showed robust and durable tumor regression, supporting whole-genome doubling and chromosomal instability as predictive markers of sensitivity. The results also included proof of concept for a novel AI-based method to rapidly detect whole-genome doubling in clinical samples, providing a foundation for a clinically feasible biomarker.

  • The data were presented at the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) Annual Meeting 2026 taking place April 17-22 in San Diego, California.
  • ATX-295 is currently under investigation in a first-in-human, Phase 1/2, open-label, dose escalation and expansion study (NCT06799065).

The players

Accent Therapeutics

A clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company pioneering novel small molecule precision cancer therapies and leveraging expertise in targeting novel tumor vulnerabilities in cancers with high genomic and chromosomal instability.

Serena Silver, Ph.D.

Chief Scientific Officer of Accent Therapeutics.

ATX-295

Accent's lead program, a potential best-in-class inhibitor for KIF18A, a mitotic kinesin motor protein critical for cell division in select tumors with chromosomal instability.

Laura Ghisolfi, Ph.D.

The presenter of the poster at the AACR Annual Meeting 2026.

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What they’re saying

“The strength and consistency of the preclinical results supporting our KIF18A program reinforce our confidence in ATX-295 as a novel therapeutic targeting a fundamental vulnerability in cancers with high levels of chromosomal instability.”

— Serena Silver, Ph.D., Chief Scientific Officer of Accent Therapeutics

What’s next

ATX-295 is currently being evaluated in a first-in-human, Phase 1/2 clinical study (NCT06799065) enrolling patients with locally advanced or metastatic solid tumors, including high-grade serous ovarian cancer and squamous non-small cell lung cancer.

The takeaway

The promising preclinical data on ATX-295 suggest it could be a transformative therapy for cancer patients with chromosomally unstable tumors, a fundamental vulnerability in many aggressive cancers. The development of an AI-based biomarker to identify patients most likely to respond could help guide clinical use and maximize the impact of this novel KIF18A inhibitor.