IDO ( indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase) is a molecule that oxidizes tryptophan, which is needed by cytotoxic T-cells. When cancer cells and T-reg cells secrete IDO in the vicinity of cytotoxic T cells, antitumor activity is abrogated. Continue reading
Category Archives: Immunology & Immunotherapy
Monoclonal antibodies + kinase inhibitors are better than antibodies alone in breast cancer and B-cell lymphoma
The combination of Herceptin plus pan-HER (EGFR and Her 2 an 4) kinase inhibitor neratinib resulted in a 33% improvement in progression free survival versus Herceptin alone in breast cancer patients. Rituxan combined with idelalisib, PI3K inhibitor, resulted in a near doubling of progression-free survival at 24 weeks versus Rituxan, alone in patients with Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia, non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, and small cell lymphoma. The news for neratinib tripled the valuation of Puma Biotechnology, while the FDA granted approval of Gilead’s drug Zydelig (idelalisib). Continue reading
Novel mutated antigens from Tumor Infiltrating Lymphocytes from long-term melanoma responders
Tumor Infiltrating Lymphocytes (TILs) are cytotoxic T-cells that are found in tumors. They serve to destroy cancer, or at least keep cancer at bay. Adoptive immunotherapy, Continue reading
arGENX – Immune Checkpoint Control of TNFR Superfamliy
A Dutch biotechnology company called arGENX raised $54 MM in an IPO (initial public offering) yesterday to advance its antibody pipeline. Its lead product, ARGX-110 is in late Phase 1 studies for hematologic malignancies. It is an immune checkpoint control modulator that acts on the CD70/CD27 axis, which is part of the TNFR superfamily, not the CD28/B7 superfamliy of co-stimulatory molecules. Continue reading
Cancer Immunotherapy Projections – Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors lead the way
The worldwide market for cancer immunotherapies is anticipated to grow from $1.1B in 2012 to $9B in 2022, that equals a 23/8% annual growth. Leading the growth are the immune checkpoint inhibitors.
Enhanced ADCC technologies to improve cancer cytotoxicity
Antibody Dependent Cell-Mediated Cytotoxicity (ADCC) is a process by which the Fab (variable region) of antibodies, produced by B-cells, first bind to antigens on target cells (cancer), and their Fc (constant regions) then bind white cells (macrophages, granulocytes, and NK – natural killer cells), which destroy the target cells. The antibodies opsonize the target and then attract white cells to destroy the target. Continue reading
PD-1 inhibitor approved in Asia
Ono Pharmaceuticals announced that nivolumab has been approved in Asia. It obtained the rights to nivolumab from Medarex in 2005. It is approved for use in patients with unresectable melanoma.
Bi-specific antibodies – matchmaking cancer and T-cells
Amgen reported encouraging data from a 189 patient phase 2 trial at this year’s ASCO meeting on blinatumomab in patients with Philadelphia Chromosome (9,22 translocation) negative relapsed/refractory B-precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) – see http://ecancer.org/conference/514-asco-2014/video/2913/blinatumomab-shown-to-be-beneficial-in-relapsed-refractory-b-precursor-acute-lymphoblastic-leukaemia.php. Continue reading
Immune Design files IPO for immuno-oncology CTL and T-helper platforms
Immune Design is the latest immuno-oncology company to file an Initial Public Offering to raise money to advance its platform technology and products. The company has 2 principal approaches to direct the immune system to fight cancer… Continue reading
Nivolumab Phase 3 study stopped early for efficacy
Great news – nivolumab, BMS’ PD-1 immune checkpoint control inhibitor was shown to prolong overall survival when used front-line in patients with advanced melanoma. The study was stopped early, that is before it fully enrolled the planned number of patients, by an independent data monitoring committee because it was shown to be quite effective. Continue reading