BELTSVILLE, Md. - NextCure, Inc. (NASDAQ:NXTC), a biopharmaceutical company engaged in developing novel immunomedicines, has announced a breakthrough in cancer immunotherapy research. A manuscript published in Science Advances details the discovery of a new checkpoint pathway that could enhance T cell-based treatments for cancer.
The study, conducted in collaboration with Dr. David Langenau at the Massachusetts General Hospital Research Institute, focuses on the Fibronectin Leucine-Rich Transmembrane protein-3 (FLRT3) and its interaction with the UNC5B receptor. Researchers have found that cancer cells can use the FLRT3-UNC5B pathway as a checkpoint inhibitor to suppress T cell responses, which are crucial for the immune system's ability to fight tumors.
NextCure's Chief Scientific Officer, Dr. Solomon Langermann, explained that the data generated from the company's proprietary FIND discovery platform has not only identified FLRT3 as a novel cancer target but also other potential targets for therapeutic intervention. The company is exploring partnerships to develop antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) targeting FLRT3 and other candidates.
Using a FLRT3 monoclonal antibody in a humanized cancer model, the researchers were able to block the FLRT3-UNC5B interactions, reversing the inhibitory signaling on T cells. This blockade has the potential to benefit patients who currently do not respond to existing immunotherapies.
Further studies are planned to investigate the roles of both membrane-bound and soluble FLRT3 in T cell signaling and subsequent pathways. These findings could pave the way for new treatments that could be more effective for patients who have seen their disease progress despite treatment or for whom current therapies are inadequate.
NextCure emphasizes its commitment to discovering and developing first-in-class immunomedicines for cancer and other immune-related diseases. However, the company cautions that these findings are preclinical and that actual results may differ materially due to various risks and uncertainties, including the challenges of clinical development and the need for additional financing.
This announcement is based on information provided in a press release statement by NextCure, Inc.
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