Smart drug strips cancer cells of 'invisibility cloak' can shrink tumours 30%
4 hours ago
- #cancer immunotherapy
- #drug development
- #clinical trial
- A smart drug called GRWD5769, when combined with immunotherapy, can shrink tumors by at least 30% in six common cancers, including cervical, bladder, liver, bowel, lung, and head and neck cancers.
- The drug works by inhibiting an enzyme called ERAP1, which removes cancer cells' 'invisibility cloak,' making them visible to the immune system and allowing immunotherapy to effectively target and destroy them.
- In a Phase 1 trial involving 83 patients who had previously failed treatments, tumors shrank in 26 patients, with 15 experiencing reductions of at least 30%. The drug also halted disease progression for at least six months in a significant portion of patients across cancer types.
- Developed as an oral tablet by Greywolf Therapeutics, GRWD5769 was well-tolerated and can be taken at home, showing promising early efficacy with minimal side effects in patients resistant to immunotherapy.
- Researchers presented these findings at the American Society of Clinical Oncology conference, highlighting the potential to enhance immunotherapy effectiveness, but note that further larger studies are needed to confirm lasting benefits.