Unraveling the Mystery: Overcoming Cancer's Resistance to Immunotherapy
At the 57th ASH Annual Meeting and Exposition, TuHURA Biosciences presented groundbreaking data that could revolutionize cancer treatment. The focus? The Delta Opioid Receptor (DOR), a potential game-changer in the battle against acquired resistance to immune checkpoint inhibitors.
The Science Behind the Scene
In an oral presentation, Dr. Michael Turner revealed that DOR is expressed on Myeloid-Derived Suppressor Cells (MDSCs), a type of cell that contributes to an immunosuppressive environment for tumors. By inhibiting DOR, the suppressive capabilities of MDSCs are reduced, opening up new possibilities for cancer treatment.
But here's where it gets controversial... TuHURA's data also suggests that DOR is expressed on another type of cell, tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs). Inhibition of DOR in TAMs appears to reverse their T-cell suppression, potentially overcoming resistance to checkpoint inhibitors and other cancer immunotherapies. This finding challenges the conventional understanding of cancer immunotherapy resistance.
Unveiling the Results
Dr. Krit Ritthipichai's poster presentation delved deeper into the role of DOR in reprogramming the immunosuppressive phenotype of tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs). The study showed that DOR is highly expressed in tumor-infiltrating myeloid cells, especially TAMs, indicating that the tumor microenvironment (TME) induces DOR upregulation. Targeting DOR offers a promising strategy to reprogram suppressive TAMs and MDSCs, alleviating T-cell dysfunction and potentially overcoming resistance to immunotherapies.
Dr. James Bianco, TuHURA's CEO, emphasized the importance of innate immune cells like MDSCs, TAMs, and regulatory T cells (Tregs) in regulating inflammation, autoimmunity, and immune tolerance. The discovery of DOR expression on these cells and its role in immunosuppression makes it an attractive target for pharmacological intervention. Additionally, the data showing DOR expression on Tregs and its control over the critical immunosuppressive gene FOXP3 provides a unified mechanism for endogenous opioids to regulate immune responses in cancer and autoimmune diseases.
TuHURA's Innovative Approach
TuHURA Biosciences is taking a bold step forward with its development of highly selective and potent DOR antagonists. The company aims to create first-in-class immune-modulating bi-functional, bi-specific antibody drug conjugates (ADCs). Their lead ADC candidate involves conjugating a DOR inhibitor with their VISTA inhibiting antibody. This innovative approach not only removes the immunosuppressive tone of the TME but also releases resting T cells, allowing them to recognize and eliminate leukemic cells.
About TuHURA Biosciences
TuHURA Biosciences (Nasdaq: HURA) is at the forefront of immuno-oncology, developing novel technologies to overcome primary and acquired resistance to cancer immunotherapy. Their lead innate immune agonist, IFx-2.0, is designed to tackle primary resistance to checkpoint inhibitors. Additionally, TuHURA acquired TBS-2025, a VISTA inhibiting mAb asset, and is leveraging its Delta Opioid Receptor technology to develop bi-specific, bi-functional antibody drug conjugates targeting Myeloid Derived Suppressor Cells. These efforts aim to prevent T-cell exhaustion and acquired resistance to various cancer treatments.
For more information, visit TuHURA's website at www.tuhurabio.com and connect with them on social media platforms like Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), and LinkedIn.
Cautionary Note
This press release contains forward-looking statements, including those regarding TuHURA's Delta Opioid Receptor Technology, its IFx-Hu2.0 product candidate, and TBS-2025 asset. These statements are based on current beliefs and expectations and involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially. Factors that could impact these forward-looking statements are detailed in TuHURA's registration statements, reports, and other filings with the SEC, available on their website and at www.sec.gov.
TuHURA does not undertake any obligation to update these forward-looking statements, and this press release does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities.
