Silexion's RNAi therapy shows increased MHC-I surface expression in preclinical models of KRAS-mutated pancreatic cancer

Silexion Therapeutics (Nasdaq: SLXN), an Israel-based clinical-stage biotechnology company, has [reported preclinical data](https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2026/05/14/3295074/0/en/Silexion-Therapeutics-Reports-Positive-Preliminary-Immunotherapy-Findings-for-SIL204-in-KRAS-Driven-Pancreatic-Cancer.html) showing that its lead siRNA candidate SIL204 increases surface expression of major histocompatibility complex class I in human KRAS-mutated pancreatic cancer cells. The findings are based on flow cytometry measurements in a single human cancer cell line and do not yet include in vivo efficacy, pharmacokinetic, or safety data. In cell-based assays using the KP2-G12R line — human pancreatic cancer cells harboring the KRAS G12R mutation — treatment with SIL204 at 60 nM produced a statistically significant increase in surface MHC-I, also designated HLA-ABC, versus an untreated control (P<0.05). The company also stated that the effect was observed in human pancreatic and non-small cell lung cancer cells carrying KRAS mutations more broadly, though the detailed experimental record provided corresponds specifically to the KP2-G12R pancreatic model. No numeric effect size, fold change, confidence interval, or replicate count was disclosed. No dose-response data were reported; only the single 60 nM concentration was described. The findings are preliminary and limited to an in vitro system. No animal model, xenograft, syngeneic, or transgenic study was reported alongside this data release. The company did not disclose route of administration, treatment duration, scheduling, or any tolerability or toxicology observations. The source is a company press release rather than a peer-reviewed publication, and no DOI, PMID, or trial registry identifier was provided. Silexion has stated it is advancing SIL204 toward clinical trials in Israel and the European Union, and has referenced an ongoing clinical trial application review in Germany, though no CTA approval, IND number, or trial activation has been confirmed in this record. SIL204 is an RNA interference therapeutic designed to silence oncogenic KRAS signaling. MHC-I expression is required for cytotoxic T cells to recognize and destroy tumor cells, and its suppression is a recognized mechanism of immune evasion in KRAS-driven cancers including pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. Silexion has framed the MHC-I finding as potentially supportive of future combination evaluation with anti-PD-1 agents such as pembrolizumab (Keytruda), though no combination data were reported and that application remains hypothesis-generating on the current evidence. Preclinical findings may not translate to clinical outcomes. --- This article was generated with AI assistance and reviewed and edited by the AllSci editorial team Explore more at AllSci News: https://allsci.com/news/ --- Spot something wrong? [Report an issue with this article](https://newsgen-prod.reframedata.com/feedback/sil204-pancreatic-cancer-silexion-therapeutics)