The Human body is highly "Adaptive" in fighting desease, and these two companies are developing technology right now to help that system fight Cancer!

 Let’s compare Adaptive BioTechnologies and Agenus Inc. in terms of how they utilize the adaptive immune system to combat cancer:

1. Adaptive BioTechnologies:

   • Immunosequencing: Adaptive BioTechnologies provides an end-to-end immunosequencing solution called Immunosequencing. 
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   • This solution helps researchers discover the breadth and depth of the adaptive immune system. Here are some key features:
     • Quantitative Abundance Data: 
     • Immunosequencing uses a multiplex PCR-based assay that enables sequencing directly from genomic DNA. Unlike RNA-based assays, it provides precise and quantitative abundance data on cell populations.
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     • Synthetic Immune Templates: 
     • Rigorously designed synthetic immune templates act as in-line controls, ensuring accurate, quantitative, and unbiased results.
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     • High-Throughput Sequencing: 
     • By sequencing the CDR3 variable chain of T- and B-cell receptors, Immunosequencing captures the depth and breadth of the immune repertoire, allowing insights into disease dynamics and treatment response.
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   • Collaborations: 
   • Adaptive BioTechnologies collaborates with companies like AstraZeneca to map the immune response to cancer antigens, potentially informing the development of novel diagnostics and therapeutics.
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   • Recent Highlights from Q1 2024
     

        -- Revenue for the first quarter of 2024 was $41.9 million. The MRD business, 
           which contributed 78% of revenue, grew 52% versus the first quarter of 
           2023. 
      
        -- clonoSEQ test volume in the first quarter of 2024 grew 41% to 17,040 
           tests delivered versus the first quarter of 2023. 
      
        -- Recognized $4.5 million within MRD revenue upon the achievement of 
           regulatory milestones from biopharmaceutical clinical studies. 
      
        -- The FDA's Oncologic Drug Advisory Committee (ODAC) voted unanimously in 
           favor of the use of MRD as a primary endpoint to support the accelerated 
           approval of new therapies for patients with multiple myeloma. 
      
        -- Following a strategic review, MRD and Immune Medicine will operate under 
           Adaptive with dedicated resources, separate segment reporting and 
           disciplined capital allocation. 
      
        -- Initiated antibody discovery campaign in Immune Medicine for multiple 
           sclerosis and type 1 diabetes to discover, make and test select 
           antibodies to generate preclinical data during 2024. 

2. Agenus Inc.:

   • Botensilimab: Agenus has developed a next-generation CTLA-4 antibody called Botensilimab. Here’s how it works:
     • Cold Tumors: 
     • Botensilimab extends the curative benefits of immunotherapy (I-O) to cold tumors that do not respond to approved immunotherapies.
     • Hot Tumors:
     •  It also expands clinical benefit in hot tumors (e.g., melanoma), where CTLA-4 is approved but shows clinical benefit in only a third of patients.
     • Improved Tolerability: 
     • Botensilimab aims to reduce or eliminate side effects that cause treatment discontinuation.
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   • Pipeline: 
   • Agenus discovers, manufactures, and develops immuno-oncology therapeutics, including checkpoint modulators (CPMs), patient-specific anti-cancer vaccines, and adjuvants for use with various vaccines.
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   • Recent Trials: 
   • Agenus initiated global Phase 2 trials for botensilimab in advanced MSS colorectal cancer and advanced melanoma, activating both innate and adaptive immune responses. 
   • Additionally, the combination of botensilimab and balstilimab showed unprecedented activity in microsatellite-stable colorectal cancer.

   • "The rapid and complete resolution of aggressive MSS colorectal cancer tumors observed in this study is unprecedented in the field" says the author Dr. Kasi

In summary, both companies leverage the adaptive immune system through innovative approaches to combat cancer, with Adaptive BioTechnologies focusing on immunosequencing and Agenus developing next-generation antibodies like botensilimab. 

Keep in mind that their specific strategies may vary based on their respective pipelines and collaborations.

These two small cap companies can be found on the Nasdaq under the symbols

$ADPT - $AGEN

From the "American College of Surgeons" report!

Agenus Inc. (formerly known as Agenus Therapeutics) is not claiming to be close to a cure for any form of cancer, but they are making significant strides in developing innovative cancer therapies.