On November 19, 2019 Omeros Corporation (Nasdaq: OMER) reported new findings on GPR174, its novel cancer immunotherapy target, demonstrating that GPR174-deficiency enhances anti-tumor immune responses in animals (Press release, Omeros, NOV 19, 2019, View Source [SID1234551480]).
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The studies were conducted in mouse models of melanoma and of colon carcinoma, each of which was modified to partially deplete regulatory T cells, a subset of immunosuppressive T cells. Partial depletion of regulatory T cells in mice creates a T-cell composition more similar to that in humans. GPR174 deficiency in these mice resulted in significantly reduced tumor growth and improved survival of the animals (p=0.006 in melanoma; p=0.03 in colon cancer) versus normal mice.
These findings are being presented today by Marc Gavin, Ph.D., Omeros’ Director of Immunology, at the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) (Free AACR Whitepaper) Conference on Tumor Immunology and Immunotherapy in Boston, Massachusetts.
The presentation also features discoveries regarding phosphatidylserine (PS), a product of cell stress and death that is abundant in the tumor microenvironment. PS has been shown by Omeros to suppress T-cell activity through GPR174. The function of PS is similar to that of adenosine, which is also abundant in the tumor microenvironment and suppresses T cells through adenosine receptors. It was demonstrated that the combination of adenosine pathway inhibition together with Omeros’ novel GPR174 inhibitors results in maximal potentiation of T-cell responses, which should translate to a more effective cancer immunotherapy approach.
"The animal data nicely confirm our cell-based findings and further validate GPR174 as an important immuno-oncology target," said Gregory A. Demopulos, M.D., Omeros’ chairman and chief executive officer. "We look forward to advancing this program to the clinic and providing better treatment options and outcomes to cancer patients."