On February 9, 2021 Lassen Therapeutics, a biotechnology company developing antibodies as potential treatments for fibrosis and oncology, reported a collaboration with the Olivia Newton-John Cancer Research Institute (ONJCRI) in Melbourne, Australia (Press release, Lassen Therapeutics, FEB 9, 2021, View Source [SID1234574805]). The collaboration will study the role of IL-11 signaling and assess the potential of monoclonal antibodies that block IL-11 signaling in preclinical models of triple negative breast cancer.
Schedule your 30 min Free 1stOncology Demo!
Discover why more than 1,500 members use 1stOncology™ to excel in:
Early/Late Stage Pipeline Development - Target Scouting - Clinical Biomarkers - Indication Selection & Expansion - BD&L Contacts - Conference Reports - Combinatorial Drug Settings - Companion Diagnostics - Drug Repositioning - First-in-class Analysis - Competitive Analysis - Deals & Licensing
Schedule Your 30 min Free Demo!
Combating tumor progression through inhibition of cytokines that play a key role in the tumor microenvironment, such as IL-11, is emerging as an important therapeutic approach.
"IL-11 is overexpressed in many types of cancer as well as in nearby cancer associated fibroblasts, which constitute an essential component of the tumor microenvironment," said Mark Barrett, Chief Executive Officer of Lassen. "Data suggest that IL-11 signaling between the tumor and the surrounding tumor microenvironment affects tumor proliferation, progression, and metastasis, and may also contribute to the development of resistance to chemotherapy and immunotherapy. Targeting the IL-11 axis in cancer therefore offers a therapeutic opportunity either as a single agent, or for patients with resistant disease, in combination with chemotherapy or immunotherapies. We believe our collaboration with the exceptional team at the ONJCRI will further elucidate the importance of IL-11 signaling in cancer."
The ONJCRI team is led by Matthias Ernst, Ph.D., director of the Institute and head of the Cancer and Inflammation Program, along with Ashwini Chand, Ph.D., head of the Cancer Therapeutics Development Group. Prof. Ernst is a member of Lassen’s scientific advisory board.
"Our collaboration with Lassen will explore IL-11 in different contexts, including combination with chemotherapy and immune checkpoint inhibitors," said Prof. Ernst. "We anticipate that the outcome of these preclinical studies will serve as a proof of principle of the efficacy of antibodies targeting the IL-11 receptor as a complement to existing treatment of primary tumors and metastatic lesions."