Saturday, March 30, 2024
Bridge Biotherapeutics, a South Korean biotech firm specializing in cancer, fibrosis, and inflammation treatments, has announced a research collaboration with Dr. Jessica M. Konen’s Lab at Emory University School of Medicine.
The partnership aims to investigate the therapeutic potential of combining BBT-877, a novel autotaxin (ATX) inhibitor, with anti-PD-1 immunotherapy for treating non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) in patients harboring KRAS and P53 (KP) mutations resistant to anti-PD-1 blockade.
Dr. Konen's research at the cancer immunology program of Winship Cancer Institute has shown that autotaxin influences the body's immune response to tumors. Elevated ATX levels correlate with decreased tumor-infiltrating CD8 T cells and increased inflammatory gene signatures, potentially leading to anti-PD-1 treatment resistance.
Preliminary joint in vitro studies revealed that BBT-877 stimulates CD4 and CD8 T cell proliferation and activation, particularly enhancing Granzyme B-expressing CD8 T cells. The ongoing collaboration aims to explore the benefits of combining BBT-877 with anti-PD-1 therapy.
James Lee, CEO of Bridge Biotherapeutics, expressed enthusiasm about the collaboration, citing Dr. Konen's research on autotaxin's role in immunosuppression and its potential to improve NSCLC treatment outcomes for anti-PD-1 therapy-resistant patients.
Dr. Jessica Konen, an Instructor in the Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology at Emory University School of Medicine, views the collaboration as an opportunity to translate their understanding of autotaxin's role in immunotherapy resistance into a new treatment approach for NSCLC patients with KRAS/P53 mutations, offering hope for improved outcomes.
The collaboration agreement entails financial support and BBT-877 access from Bridge Biotherapeutics, while Dr. Jessica Konen’s Lab contributes immunology and oncology expertise. Together, they will conduct preclinical studies to evaluate BBT-877's potential in enhancing anti-tumor immunity.
Source: bridgebiorx.com
