Premier Biomedical, Inc. recently announced in a news release the signing of a Patent License Agreement with the University of Texas El Paso (UTEP) concerning “CD152-LDMC,” a treatment that has been developed by the two organization to treat breast cancer.
The CD152-LDMC therapy is based on the blockade of an important molecule called cytotoxic T-lymphocyte antigen (CTLA-4), a receptor present on the surface of immune T cells that downregulates the immune system. This blockade is performed using a CTLA-4 blocking antibody (CD152) combined with Low Dose Metronomic Chemotherapy (LDMC), a treatment characterized by a frequent and continuous use of low doses of conventional chemotherapeutic drugs. Over the last year, significant advances have been performed in CD152-LDMC development.
The concept behind this strategy is based on the role of CTLA-4 in slowing or shutting off the body’s immune system, impairing its ability to deal with cancer cells. By blocking CTLA-4 in the CD152-LDMC strategy, researchers expect to abolish the suppression of the immune system, allowing it to actively identify, target and attack malignant cancer cells.
The CD152 antibody employed in this strategy is similar to the anti-CTLA-4 antibody Ipilimumab (Yervoy®, Bristol-Meyers-Squibb) used in the treatment of metastatic melanoma (skin cancer). Currently, Ipilimumab and pembrolizumab (Keytruda®, Merck) are the only two FDA (U.S. Food and Drug Administration)-approved cancer immunotherapeutic drugs, both for melanoma treatment.
Researchers tested CD152-LDMC on mice models of breast cancer. The research team found that mice treated with CD152-LDMC exhibited an increased survival in comparison to non-treated mice or mice treated only with chemotherapy. Importantly, CD152-LDMC was found to prevent breast cancer development and spread (metastasis) in mice.
“We are excited about these preclinical breast cancer studies and on the impact that low dose chemotherapy strategies can have in contributing to the disruption of tumor growth. Ultimately, once approved, such therapies should produce fewer treatment side effects without limiting the clinical effectiveness of the drugs,” said Dr. Giulio Francia, Assistant Professor at UTEP, in the news release.
“This agreement is just the latest step in our positive, on-going working relationship with this outstanding research institute. Dr. Francia and his staff, are world-class researchers, and we are fortunate to be working with them. We look forward to many more such mutually beneficial technological developments,” said the President and CEO of Premier, William A. Hartman.
Premier Biomedical believes that CD152-LDMC might represent a potential therapeutic approach against breast cancer metastasis by triggering the body’s own immune system.
Leave a Reply