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. 20, 2026 at 6:36am

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A translucent, X-ray-like image revealing the internal structures of a dividing cancer cell, with the KIF18A protein highlighted as a central, pulsing element, conceptually illustrating the targeted mechanism of action of Accent's novel therapeutic.Preclinical data suggest Accent's KIF18A inhibitor ATX-295 could selectively target the fundamental vulnerability of chromosomal instability in aggressive cancers.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 whole-genome doubling and chromosomal instability. Accent also presented proof of concept for an AI-based method to rapidly detect whole-genome doubling in clinical samples, providing a potential biomarker for ATX-295 sensitivity.

Why it matters

The preclinical results reinforce Accent's confidence in ATX-295 as a novel therapy targeting a fundamental vulnerability in cancers with high levels of chromosomal instability. Identifying predictive biomarkers like whole-genome doubling could help guide patient selection for ATX-295 treatment, potentially expanding its impact for cancer patients with limited therapeutic options.

The details

The data presented by Accent Therapeutics demonstrate that ATX-295, a potentially best-in-class KIF18A inhibitor, showed potent in vitro activity leading to cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in high-grade serous ovarian cancer, squamous non-small cell lung cancer, and triple-negative breast cancer cell lines. In patient-derived xenograft models of these tumor types exhibiting whole-genome doubling, ATX-295 treatment resulted in robust and durable tumor regression, supporting whole-genome doubling and chromosomal instability as predictive markers of sensitivity to the molecule. Accent also presented proof of concept for a novel AI-based method capable of rapidly detecting whole-genome doubling in clinical samples, providing the foundation for a clinically feasible biomarker.

  • The AACR Annual Meeting 2026 took place from April 17-22 in San Diego, California.
  • ATX-295 is currently under investigation in a first-in-human, Phase 1/2 clinical study (NCT06799065) evaluating its safety, tolerability, and preliminary efficacy in patients with locally advanced or metastatic solid tumors.

The players

Accent Therapeutics

A clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company pioneering novel small molecule precision cancer therapies and leveraging its expertise to target 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 Accent's data 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

Accent Therapeutics is currently evaluating ATX-295 in a first-in-human, Phase 1/2 clinical study to assess its safety, tolerability, and preliminary efficacy in 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 highlight the potential of targeting chromosomal instability as a therapeutic approach for hard-to-treat cancers. Developing predictive biomarkers like whole-genome doubling could help identify the patient populations most likely to benefit from this novel KIF18A inhibitor.