The anti-EphA3 antibody has anti-tumor effects against solid cancers -
An international team of scientists has shown that antibodies against the EphA3 protein found in the microenvironment of the solid cancers, has anti-tumor effects.
As EphA3 is present in normal organs during embryonic development, but is expressed in blood cancers and solid tumors, the antibody-based approach can be a treatment for solid tumors suitable candidate .
researchers from Monash University and the Ludwig Cancer Research, Australia, and KaloBios Pharmaceuticals, the United States, had their results published in the journal Cancer Research .
team, jointly led by the late Professor Martin Lackmann, School of Biomedical Sciences at Monash; and Professor Andrew Scott of Ludwig Cancer Research, found that although tumor cells lack this molecule they can prosper by attracting and leveraging support cells containing EphA3 in the tumor microenvironment.
First author Dr. Mary Vail, Monash Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology said "the tumor cells send signals to the surrounding area and say," We need a blood supply and a basis on which to spread. "
" We have shown that EphA3 expressing stem stromal cells, which are produced by the bone marrow, as cells that support and create blood vessels in tumors, " said Dr. Vail.
the team of Professor Andrew Scott Ludwig introduced human prostate cancer cells in a mouse model to mimic disease progression in humans. EphA3 was found in the stromal cells and the blood vessels surrounding the tumor.
They also observed that treatment with an antibody against EphA3 (chIIIA4) significantly slowed tumor growth. The antibodies damaged the blood vessels of the tumor and disrupted the microenvironment stromal and cancer cells died because their "life support" was compromised
"In addition, we screened various tumors from patient biopsies -. sarcomas, melanomas and prostate, colon, breast, brain and lung cancer - and confirmed the expression of EphA3 on stromal and newly forming blood vessels cells, " said Professor Scott
. " Our research results indicate that the tumor microenvironment is important, and monoclonal antibodies against EphA3 are a way to target and kill a variety of solid tumors and blood cancers. "
Currently, KaloBios Pharmaceuticals is testing the anti-EphA3 KB004 antibodies in a phase multi-center I / II clinical trial in Melbourne and the US in patients with EphA3 expressing malignancies blood :. AML, MDS and myelofibrosis
Dr Vail, who collaborated with his former mentor on the project for 10 years, said the research represented the work of Martin's life Lackmann.
"Martin has been dedicated to helping people, and felt that KB004 is a promising therapeutic approach. It rightly states that it would be well tolerated in patients with cancer, and through this collaborative project, his pioneering research has progressed to clinical trials and potential new treatments for cancer patients " said Dr. Vail.
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