On March 22, 2021 Xylonix, a Singapore-based biotech company, reported that it has developed a new immunity drug (010DS-Zn) that demonstrates potential for treating a variety of solid cancers and COVID-19’s post-recovery complications, which include heart damage, diabetes and multi-system inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) (Press release, Xylonix, MAR 22, 2021, View Source [SID1234576984]). This research was recently submitted as a preprint publication on bioRxiv.org (View Source).

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Aggressive solid cancers have been known to manipulate immunity for its advancements in several ways. One way is the enrichment of an immunity subset called M2-like macrophages (M2), which is associated in cancer metastasis, relapse, and treatment resistance. Recent studies showed that COVID-19 infection resulted in similar immune pathologies to solid cancers – increased M2 activity and suppressed CD4 and CD8 T-cells[1] activity.

Xylonix demonstrated that its drug compound 010DS-Zn markedly reduced M2 population, while simultaneously boosting anti-cancer CD4 and CD8 T cells. This resulted in tumour suppression in animal studies. It also demonstrated consistent anti-cancer activity in 53 human patient-derived cancers tested ex vivo.

"Today’s cancer immunotherapy combinations can cost upwards of $200,000/year (1), but beneficial responses in patients happen at 15% chance-at-random (2). We developed 010DS-Zn as a widely applicable immunotherapy to significantly increase these odds. As of today, we are concerned about the 120 million and more people (3) with COVID-19 infection history who may suffer from long term recovery complications. We have manufactured sufficient quantity of 010DS-Zn to be used for multiple collaborations, and we are looking for capable partners to work with us on further studies on 010DS-Zn’s effect on human tumours and COVID-19 complications," said Dr Fred Chung, Chief Scientific Officer and Co-founder Xylonix.