Unmet Need
Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer related deaths [1,2]. It is estimated to result in approximately 131880 deaths in the US annually and causes more deaths in men and women than prostate and breast cancer, respectively [2]. Immune checkpoint inhibitors have become a useful therapeutic for certain cancers. However, the therapeutic effect varies between patients as response rates have dwindled [3]. Specifically, PD1 (programmed death 1) blockade has shown efficacy in treating lung cancer, however the effects are not consistent as some patients fail to respond. This is due in part to an increase in patients developing resistance (acquired and primary) to blockade therapy [4]. This has increased the need to improve patient outcomes as they relate to the potency of PD1 based immunotherapies.
Technology Overview
Johns Hopkins researchers have identified targets to enhance checkpoint blockade immunotherapy. These targets were identified by profiling T cells specific for non-small cell lung cancer. These potent targets may present opportunities for combination therapy to potentially improve the response rate and prevent or delay relapse after surgical resection.
Stage of Development
Preclinical data available.
Publications
Caushi, J.X., Zhang, J., Ji, Z. et al. Transcriptional programs of neoantigen-specific TIL in anti-PD-1-treated lung cancers. Nature 596, 126–132 (2021).
