Novel Approach to Immunotherapy in Ovarian Cancer

Researchers from the University of Pittsburgh have identified an approach using cytokines produced by Lactobacillus reuteri (LR) to stimulate one of the key proteins (PD-L1) involved in programed cell death in cancer cells to facilitate immunotherapy.  

Description

Ovarian cancer (OC) can be a devastating disease, due to rare symptoms resulting in diagnosis often only when cancer is at an advanced stage and has spread. Treatment is challenging and many patients relapse within 6–18 months of surgery and chemotherapy, with the added complication of being resistant to first-line chemotherapy. Effective treatment is urgently required as current therapies for OC are often ineffective with only a 50% survival rate. This approach has the potential to improve outcomes in patients with OC.

Applications

• Ovarian cancer immunotherapy
• Protection of intestines from radiotherapy
• Mitigate immune dysfunction in victims of radiation terrorism incidents or accidents

Advantages

Treatment options for OC are suboptimal with approximately 150,000 deaths annually in the US. Alone. Additionally, abdominal irradiation is not a feasible treatment approach due to the risk of intestinal damage. This novel approach involves treating OC patients with LR-produced cytokines and acts in two ways. Firstly, protecting the intestine from irradiation through the action of LR-producing IL-22 (LR-IL-22), and secondly, increasing expression of PD-L1 in cancer cells improving the potential of using immunotherapy to treat OC.

Invention Readiness

Preclinical studies have shown treatment with LR-IL-22 or LR-IFN- and WAI treatment increase intra-tumoral CD8+ T cells in OC. Development of oral delivery and human trials is required.

IP Status

https://patents.google.com/patent/WO2024092131A1