The Role of Myeloid Cells
in Cancer
Myeloid cells are abundant and often immune suppressive in the tumor microenvironment (TME). For example, in many types of solid tumors the main tumor-infiltrating immune cell population is monocyte-derived macrophages. Myeloid cells modulate key cancer-associated activities and could affect virtually all types of cancer therapy.
Initially intrinsic mutations drive cells to malignancy. Non-cancerous cells, including myeloid cells, come to the scene as if initiating a wound-healing process. In the TME, they are influenced by cancer cells and often support tumor growth, metastasis and immune evasion.
Image: Staining of macrophage (CD163) in lung cancer at 40x
Immune-Onc Pipeline
Immune-Onc’s research and development programs target the Leukocyte Immunoglobulin-Like Receptor subfamily B (LILRB) of myeloid checkpoints to overcome immune resistance. The company brings significant drug discovery and development expertise to this challenge, complementary to over a decade of research by academic collaborators, to evaluate the role of this family of receptors in cancer.
Each member of the LILRB family, including LILRB4 (also known as ILT3), LILRB2 (also known as ILT4), and LAIR1, has distinct expression pattern and diverse functions.
Our Approach
Equipped with unique expertise in myeloid cell biology and insights into immune suppressive dynamics that allow cancer cells to grow and spread in the body, Immune-Onc is developing a novel class of myeloid checkpoint inhibitors. The company’s current pipeline targets the LILRB family of immune inhibitory receptors to reverse immune suppression and tumor infiltration.
Immune-Onc’s current development programs include several candidates in clinical and pre-clinical stage targeting the LILRB family of myeloid checkpoints. The company has invested in proprietary models, assays and tools to interrogate the biology and translate this cutting-edge research into the development of novel therapies.
Our LILRB Platform Has Led to a Robust Pipeline with Monotherapy and Combo Treatment Opportunities