NEW YORK and ANN ARBOR, Mich., April 8, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Lycera Corp., a biopharmaceutical company developing breakthrough medicines to treat cancer and autoimmune disease, today announced that the Company will present preclinical research from its novel cancer immunotherapy program at the American Association of Immunologists (AAI) Annual Meeting, which will take place in New Orleans, Louisiana, May 8-12, 2015.
Specifics for the upcoming presentations at the AAI Annual Meeting are as follows:
“Novel RORgamma Agonists Enhance Anti-Tumor Activity of Adoptive T Cell Therapy.” Oral Presentation Session: Cancer Immunotherapy and Mechanisms, Abstract Number 2207781, May 8, 3:45-4:00pm, Location: Room R04-R05. The findings also will be presented in a poster on May 9, 2:30-3:45pm, Location: Exhibit/Poster Hall.
Abbreviated Abstract Summary: As an approach to improve the potency and persistence of anti-tumor adoptive cell transfer (ACT) therapy, Lycera has designed synthetic RORgamma agonists that can bolster the generation of type 17 cells. In vitro stimulation in the presence of RORgamma agonists modulates expression of costimulatory and coinhibitory molecules and increases IL-17A, IL-22 and GM-CSF production while maintaining IFNgamma production. Treating tumor-specific T cells with an RORgamma agonist in vitro significantly enhanced the cells’ ability to regress large and established lymphoma and melanoma tumors in vivo. Further, exvivo analysis showed that administration of RORgamma agonist-treated T cells resulted in increased frequency of transferred cells, elevated IL-17A levels, and decreased PD-1 expression in tumors and spleen compared to controls.
The study authors concluded that by enhancing cytokine/chemokine production, promoting T cell persistence, as well as decreasing PD-1 expression, RORgamma agonists provide an effective means to enhance the potency of adoptively transferred T cell products.
Authors: Laura L Carter3 - Presenter, Jacques Moisan3, Kinga Majchrzak2, Xia Hu3, Rodney W Morgan3, Xikui Liu3, Kellie M Demock3, Yahong Wang3, Chuck A Lesch3, Brian M Sanchez3, Dick Bousley3, Clarke B Taylor3, Chad A Van Huis3, Don J Skalitzky3, Tom D Aicher3, Peter L Toogood3, Weiping Zou1, Chrystal M Paulos2, Gary D Glick3. 1University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United States, 2Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, United States, 3Lycera Corp.
About Lycera
Lycera is a biopharmaceutical company developing novel oral immune modulators for the treatment of cancer and autoimmune diseases. Based on successful progress of its world-class R&D platform, including expertise in immune metabolism, cell signaling, and immune cell differentiation, Lycera is commencing multiple clinical programs in 2015 and 2016. Lead efforts are advancing oral RORgamma agonists for diverse applications in immune-oncology, and an oral, selective ATPase modulator, designated LYC-30937, for the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease. In addition, Lycera has established two collaborations with Merck to discover, develop and commercialize small molecule therapies for autoimmune disorders. Lycera’s leadership possesses deep experience in drug discovery, development, and commercialization and has established close relationships with renowned thought leaders and clinical researchers worldwide. Lead investors in Lycera include InterWest Partners, ARCH Venture Partners, Clarus Ventures, and EDF Ventures. For more information on Lycera, please visit www.lycera.com.
CONTACTS:
For Media:
Justin Jackson, Burns McClellan, on behalf of Lycera Corp.
212-213-0006, ext. 327
jjackson@burnsmc.com
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SOURCE Lycera Corp.
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