Natural Killer cells and macrophages are essential in the innate immune response to bacterial pathogens. They also provide the essential link to the adaptive immune response by presenting antigens to dendritic cells and by directly stimulating CD8+ cytotoxic T-cells.
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
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.
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.
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
Immune checkpoint control is the hottest area in cancer immunology. Indeed, the checkpoint inhibitors have shown great activity in a variety of cancers. This article http://online.wsj.com/article/PR-CO-20140506-908279.html) summarizes 2 approaches that Merck is taking… Continue reading
