<div><div><div>Our immune system is incredibly powerful: among other things, it can recognize and destroy cancer cells. But tumors can be just as effective at avoiding detection – they build “invisibility shields” to protect themselves from attack.</div></div><div>One breakthrough in cancer therapy has been immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs), drugs that reactivate immune T cells and help them fight tumors again. However, only about 20–50% of patients respond well to this treatment. Researchers are therefore seeking alternative therapeutic strategies. A small and well-known molecule called adenosine plays a key role in these efforts.When tumor cells are stressed or dying, they release ATP, which is normally a signal that something is wrong in the tissue. But in the tumor microenvironment, ATP gets rapidly broken down by two enzymes, CD39 and CD73. Released adenosine acts like a chemical “calm-down” signal, binds to immune cells (T cells, NK cells, and others), and tells them to slow down, reducing their ability to kill cancer cells. Targeting CD73 therefore represents a promising strategy for developing new cancer treatments.</div><img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/UOCHB_Nove_latky_mohou_podporit_imunitni_system_v_boji_s_rakovinou_88c5e82cd5.jpeg" alt="IOCB Prague: Development of potent inhibitors to boost the immune system's ability to fight cancer" srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/thumbnail_UOCHB_Nove_latky_mohou_podporit_imunitni_system_v_boji_s_rakovinou_88c5e82cd5.jpeg 245w," sizes="100vw" width="661" height="363">At IOCB Prague, interdisciplinary teams led by Jan Řezáč, Jan Konvalinka, and Michal Hocek used a newly developed high-throughput screening method to test over 5,000 compounds, identifying two ribonucleoside derivatives as promising CD73 inhibitors.The scientists then improved the compounds’ activity by carefully modifying the ribonucleoside scaffold with bulky (het)aryl groups. Further optimization improved the pharmacokinetic properties of these compounds, yielding inhibitors with low clearance, long half-life, high solubility, and strong selectivity over related enzymes such as CD39.In cellular experiments, the compounds reduced adenosine production in cancer cells, restored T cell activation, and showed no toxicity toward human fibroblasts. The most active compound showed a single-digit picomolar inhibition constant (Ki).These findings establish a strong foundation for further in vivo efficacy and combination studies, which will explore the therapeutic potential of this novel inhibitor class.<blockquote><h4>The Original article</h4><h4><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acsptsci.5c00707">Potent Competitive Inhibitors of Ecto-5′-nucleotidase (CD73) based on 6-(Het)aryl-7-deazapurine Ribonucleoside 5′-O-Bisphosphonates</a></h4>Ugnė Šinkevičiu̅tė, Magdalena Šímová, Radek Staník, Lenka Poštová Slavětínská, Kristýna Blažková, Pavel Šácha, Martin Lepšík, Jan Řezáč, Jan Konvalinka, Tereza Ormsby, Michal Tichý, Michal HocekACS Pharmacol. Transl. Sci. 2026, 9, 1, 191–213<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acsptsci.5c00707">https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acsptsci.5c00707</a><h6>licensed under <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/">CC-BY 4.0</a></h6></blockquote><h4>Abstract</h4>CD73 generates immunosuppressive adenosine in the tumor microenvironment and is a promising target for cancer immunotherapy. We have designed and systematically studied diverse 2-substituted 7-deazapurine ribonucleoside 5′-O-bisphosphonates bearing a variety of (het)aryl groups at position 6 and discovered their highly potent and selective CD73 inhibition activity. The most active compounds (with single-digit picomolar Ki) contained bicyclic (het)aryl groups at position 6 in combination with chlorine at position 2. Further optimization of pharmacokinetic properties identified inhibitors with low clearance, long half-life, high solubility, and excellent selectivity over CD39 and NTPDase3. They effectively suppressed adenosine formation in MDA-MB-231 cells, rescued CD8+ T cell activation, and were nontoxic to human fibroblasts. Overall, their profile compares favorably with AB680, a CD73 inhibitor currently in phase I/II clinical trials.</div>

Development of potent inhibitors to boost the immune system's ability to fight cancer

In the week from April 13, the following webinars await you in the field of atomic and molecular spectroscopy and spectrometry<blockquote><h4><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://icpms.labrulez.com/webinars">👉 DETAILS AND REGISTRATION IN THE WEBINARS SECTION</a></h4>👉 Search and filter in the largest global database with over 5 500 GC, LC, MS and spectroscopy webinars.</blockquote><h5>1. Agilent Technologies: The Journey of Safer Science through Safer Labs</h5><ul><li>Tu, 14.4.2026 07:30 CEST</li><li><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://icpms.labrulez.com/webinar/6104">Registration</a></li></ul>Agilent Safer Labs webinar highlights best practices in lab safety, including handling, storage, and instrumentation, helping professionals build safer, more efficient laboratory environments.<h5>2. Agilent Technologies: Rapid Analysis of Elemental Impurities in Li-ion Battery Samples by an ICP-OES and an Autodilutor</h5><ul><li>Tu, 14.4.2026 20:30 CEST</li><li><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://icpms.labrulez.com/webinar/6046">Registration</a></li></ul>Learn how smart ICP-OES and automated dilution streamline lithium-ion battery analysis, improving productivity while addressing spectral interferences in complex supply-chain matrices.<h5>3. Milestone: Sustainable Sample Preparation for Elemental Analysis: Practical Actions for a Greener Lab</h5><ul><li>We, 15.4.2026 16:00 CET</li><li><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://icpms.labrulez.com/webinar/5820">Registration</a></li></ul>Discover how Milestone’s GreenPrep MW Score helps laboratories reduce acid use, energy consumption, and waste in elemental analysis without sacrificing analytical performance.<h5>4. Metrohm: Measure smarter, spend less – NIR spectroscopy for polymer analysis</h5><ul><li>Th, 16.4.2026 15:00 CET</li><li><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://icpms.labrulez.com/webinar/6032">Registration</a></li></ul>Discover how NIR spectroscopy enables fast, chemical-free polymer analysis. Learn how manufacturers can streamline quality control, reduce waste, and improve efficiency with rapid multi-parameter measurements.<h5>5. SPECTRO Analytical Instruments: How Automated ED-XRF Workflows Strengthen Elemental Analysis Performance</h5><ul><li>Th, 16.4.2026 17:00 CEST</li><li><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://icpms.labrulez.com/webinar/6105">Registration</a></li></ul>Discover how automation in sample preparation and ED-XRF improves reproducibility, reduces errors, and enhances throughput for materials like cement, slag, and ores in modern laboratories.<h5>6. C&amp;EN: Precision Lab Solutions for High-End Optics and Coatings</h5><ul><li>Th, 16.4.2026 17:00 CEST</li><li><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://icpms.labrulez.com/webinar/6096">Registration</a></li></ul>Join this presentation and open discussion with industry-leading experts Patrick Muller and Kieran Evans – leaders in UV/Vis and IR analytical methods and testing techniques.

Webinars LabRulezICPMS Week 16/2026

Investigating Plastic–Metal Interactions in Aquatic Environments Using Laser Ablation ICP–MS and Chemical Markers

Article

Webinars

Scientific article

Science and research

The Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry of the Czech Academy of Sciences (IOCB Prague) is a leading scientific institution in the Czech Republic, recognized internationally. Its primary mission is basic research in the fields of chemical biology and medicinal chemistry, organic and material oriented chemistry, chemistry of natural compounds, biochemistry and molecular biology, physical chemistry, theoretical chemistry, and analytical chemistry. 

Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry of the Czech Academy of Sciences

Everything from the world of analytical chemistry in one place. We connect people in solving their problems. At Labrulez you will find all the necessary information easily, quickly and clearly. Stop searching and start finding.

LabRulez

Agilent Technologies

Thermo Fisher Scientific

Lessons were learned with the COVID-19 pandemic, around half of labs worldwide were shut down and only 14% of labs were fully functional at a time when 100% of labs needed to be thriving.
Tools such as laboratory information management systems (LIMS) and electronic laboratory notebooks (ELNs), among other solutions, can help mitigate the impact on life in the lab.
<blockquote>
Presenter: Baumann Jean-Guillaume (Business Development Manager, Agilent Technologies)
</blockquote>

Agilent Technologies: Ramp up your COVID test operations quickly with Agilent SLIMS

Ramp up your COVID test operations quickly with Agilent SLIMS

Tools such as LIMS and electronic laboratory notebooks (ELNs), among other solutions, can help mitigate the impact on life in the lab.

Ramp up your COVID test operations with Agilent SLIMS

Analytical Instrument Qualification (AIQ) is the analytical foundation for data quality in regulated laboratories. First released in 2008 and updated in 2017, USP General chapter &lt;1058&gt; on AIQ remains a key regulatory reference for laboratory compliance.
This presentation will explain how to comply with USP &lt;1058&gt; requirements and will look at the relationship between USP &lt;1058&gt; and GAMP, along with regulatory trend information and compliance findings. 
<blockquote>
Presenter: Paul Smith (Strategic Compliance Specialist, Agilent Technologies)
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
Paul has a passion for laboratory compliance. He started his career as an Infrared Spectroscopist, recording and interpreting infrared and Raman spectra and chemometric modeling of FT-IR, Raman and NIR data. He did his first software validation work in 1992, before moving into broader analytical chemistry and laboratory management roles. Overall, he spent 17 years in the pharmaceutical industry and has worked in laboratory consultancy roles for the last 20 years.
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
He has worked in Pharmaceutical R&amp;D, New Product Introduction and Quality Assurance. In his current Agilent role, he monitors laboratory compliance change and non-compliance trends, sharing this information with customers and colleagues. He is an active member of GAMP, contributing to Good Practice Guides and is a steering committee member of the UK GAMP Community of Practice, which focusses on sharing knowledge and learning with industry.
</blockquote>

Agilent Technologies: How to ensure data integrity and regulatory compliance

Regulatory Requirements for Analytical Instrument Qualification (AIQ) and Recent Trends

How to comply with USP <1058> requirements and relationship between USP <1058> and GAMP, along with regulatory trend information and compliance findings.

Requirements for Analytical Instrument Qualification (AIQ)

Computerized System Validation, or CSV, is a requirement of many regulatory bodies around the globe. There are many different guidance documents and industry white papers on the subject matter.
In this discussion I would like to provide a high level overview of what CSV is, how it is different from Qualification, why we need to do it, what are the benefits, and what are the new trends in validation to save cost and time while improving the value of the validation work that we do. CSV has long been considered a burden and an inhibitor to technology adoption. We will review some ways to incorporate these newer trends to improve our CSV paradigm, which will provide faster Time-to-Production and ROI for technology investments.
<blockquote>
Presenter: Michael C. Korbel (Senior Compliance Consultant, Agilent Technologies)
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
Michael has over 24 years of experience in regulated environments in the Pharmaceutical and Bio-Tech industries. Half of Michael&#39;s career has been spent on the customer side of the industry in both IT and Laboratory positions; supporting, qualifying, and validating regulated computerized systems and instruments. The other half has been spent providing consultative compliance services from the vendor side of the industry. His experience includes supporting/validating both standalone and enterprise laboratory informatics systems, as well as instrument qualification, preventive maintenance, and relocation services. Michael has held various IT and Lab positions at MannKind Corporation and Purdue Pharma, as well as consulted for Pfizer, JnJ, and Merck. Michael has also held various positions at Waters Corporation, PerkinElmer OneSource, and Agilent Technologies. He currently serves as the Global Sr. Compliance Consultant on the Marketing team at Agilent Technologies. Michael holds a B.S. in Biology, with minors in Chemistry and Environmental Science.
</blockquote>

Computerized System Validation (CSV) and Recent Trends

Overview of what CSV is, how it is different from Qualification, why we need to do it, what are the benefits, and what are the new trends in validation.

<blockquote>
Presenter: Ralf Davidsson (Lab Informatics Product Specialist, Agilent Technologies)
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
Based in Brisbane Australia, Ralf has been with Agilent Technologies for 15 years, originally as an Account Manager, and for the past 5 years as a Lab Informatics Product Specialist.
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
Holding a MSc degree in Chemical Engineering, he has previously worked in the pharmaceutical industry with method development and validation.
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
In his current role he supports the sales teams and customers with solution design of networked informatics solutions.
</blockquote>

Achieve a Fully Digital, End-to-End Analytical Workflow

Learn how to transform your unknown samples into routine analyses. Utilizing ICP-Expert’s Smart features, any analyst can easily develop a method that offers greater sample insight than ever before – leading to better results.
Join us to see how you can become a more savvy ICP-OES analyst.
<blockquote>
Presenter: Ana García-González (Atomic Spectroscopy Application Scientist, Agilent Technologies)
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
Ana Garcia is the Atomic Spectroscopy Application Scientist at Agilent Technologies. Ana has a broad background in atomic spectroscopy technologies, including international experience developing and validating analytical spectroscopy methods for the geochemical industry. She has also published in the fields of molecular spectroscopy and chemometrics. Ana holds a MSc in plant Biotechnology at CINVESTAV, México, and a Bachelor of Science in Biotechnology Engineering.
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
Presenter: Chris Conklin (Atomic Spectroscopy Product Specialist, Agilent Technologies, Inc.)
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
With a degree from the University of Wisconsin – Eau Claire, Chris worked in, and lead, a quality control lab testing fine chemicals ranging from reagent grade to high purity. Over the course of 12 years in that role, Chris has run a variety of atomic elemental instruments and techniques including AA, ICP-OES, and ICP-MS. As a result, he has seen most of the periodic table in its elemental form and overcome the associated interferences. In 2018, Chris brought that knowledge and experience to his current role with Agilent as the Product Specialist for Atomic Spectroscopy supporting AA, MP-AES, and ICP-OES for the Eastern US.
</blockquote>

Agilent Technologies: Tips and Tricks Workshop on ICP-OES: Smarter Method Development

Tips and Tricks Workshop on ICP-OES: Smarter Method Development

Learn how to transform your unknown samples into routine analyses.

Tips and Tricks Workshop on ICP-OES: Method Development

This seminar will focus on high throughput ICP analysis using an Agilent 5900 SVDV and an AVS flow injection valve.
The SVDV option allows the user to run both axial and radial analyses at the same time, saving up to 30 seconds per analysis. The AVS option basically takes that analysis time and reduces it by half. Soil and Petrochemical high throughput analysis will be featured with soils at 9-12 seconds sample to sample and oils from 17 – 30 seconds sample to sample.
<blockquote>
Presenter: Paul Krampitz (Application Scientist, Agilent Technologies, Inc.)
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
Graduate of Bowling Green State University with a Chemistry Bachelor of Science degree. Twenty – five years of Spectroscopy experience mainly Inductively Coupled Plasma (ICP) Spectroscopy as well as ICP-MS and AAS. Experience also includes X-Ray Fluorescence (ED, WD), Laser Ablation, Inorganic Speciation and Microwave Plasma Spectroscopy. Market Segment expertise includes environmental, petrochemical, metallurgical applications.
</blockquote>

Agilent Technologies: Got a Second(s)? How to save precious time in ICP Analysis – High Throughput analysis from Oils to Soils

Got a Second(s)? How to save precious time in ICP Analysis – High Throughput analysis from Oils to Soils

This seminar will focus on high throughput ICP analysis using an Agilent 5900 SVDV and an AVS flow injection valve.

ICP Analysis – High Throughput analysis from Oils to Soils

Inorganic species, metals, gases, and organometallics play an important role in the research and analytical lab.
Learn how ICP-OES, ICP-MS, and ICP-MS/MS can help protect expensive catalysts, prevent process fouling or off-spec product, and meet environmental regulations.
<blockquote>
Presenter: Daniel Kutscher (Product Marketing Specialist, Thermo Fisher Scientific)
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
After graduating with a degree in Chemistry in 2007, Daniel obtained his Ph.D. from the University of Oviedo (Spain) in 2011. In the same year, he joined Thermo Fisher Scientific as an Application Specialist for ICP-MS and joined the marketing team in 2018.
</blockquote>

Thermo Scientific: It's ELEMENTary - Managing Challenges in Inorganic Analysis

It's ELEMENTary - Managing Challenges in Inorganic Analysis

Learn how ICP-OES, ICP-MS, and ICP-MS/MS can help protect expensive catalysts, prevent process fouling or off-spec product, and meet environmental regulations.

It's ELEMENTary - Managing Challenges

Throughout the manufacturing process, routine analytical techniques such as FTIR, NIR, and XRF are used to ensure production optimization and product quality.
This presentation explores various quality control applications in the chemical and polymer industry.
<blockquote>
Presenter: Matt Bartucci (Application Scientist, Thermo Fisher Scientific)
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
Dr. Matt Bartucci earned his Ph.D. from Loyola University, followed by postdoctoral research for the United States Army Research Labs at the Aberdeen Proving Grounds in Maryland. Matt has been an FTIR applications scientist with Thermo Fisher Scientific since 2017, and has expertise in applying advanced FTIR techniques to support novel material research. He currently works out of the Center of Excellence Laboratory located in Bannockburn, IL.
</blockquote>

Thermo Scientific: Building Confidence in Quality Assurance

Building Confidence in Quality Assurance

Various quality control applications in the chemical and polymer industry.

Research and quality assurance labs often must analyze materials on the micro level.
Combining optical microscopy with vibrational spectroscopy can provide a holistic view of the structure and functional relationship of the material and can be used for identifying foreign materials and defects.
<blockquote>
Presenter: Suja Sukumaran (Senior Application Scientist, Thermo Fisher Scientific)
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
Dr. Suja Sukumaran obtained her Ph.D. in Biophysics from JW Goethe University, Germany. Currently, she is an applications scientist at Thermo Fisher Scientific. Suja has worked in the field of spectroscopy for over 17 years. Her FTIR application expertise spans many industries including polymer/chemical, pharmaceutical, forensics, semiconductor, and food industries.
</blockquote>

Thermo Scientific: Sweating the Small Stuff - Spectroscopy on the Micro Scale

Sweating the Small Stuff - Spectroscopy on the Micro Scale

Combining optical microscopy with vibrational spectroscopy can provide a holistic view of the structure and functional relationship of the material.

Sweating the Small Stuff

The development of next-generation advanced materials requires analytical tools that cover multiple hyphenated techniques to save material usage while gaining additional analytical insight from the sample.
In this talk, we will explore various applications across R&amp;D.
<blockquote>
Presenter: Ron Rubinovitz (Senior Application Scientist, Thermo Fisher Scientific)
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
Dr. Ron Rubinovitz earned his Ph.D. in Physical Chemistry at the University of Pennsylvania. Currently, he is a senior applications scientist at Thermo Fisher Scientific, focusing on FTIR, IR microscopy, FT-Raman, Near-IR, and chemometrics. Ron has extensive experience in the field of vibrational spectroscopy. He has worked with a wide range of sampling techniques covering applications in pharmaceutical, industrial, and food industries.
</blockquote>