Noxopharm says new laboratory findings strengthen the case for using its Sofra technology to help the immune system recognise cancer cells after treatments such as chemotherapy or radiotherapy kill them.
The company found that a TLR8-amplifying Sofra oligonucleotide triggered a significant immune response when combined with dying cancer cells. The response was absent when researchers did not use the oligonucleotide.
The study, conducted with the Hudson Institute of Medical Research, focused on macrophages, immune cells that clear dying cells and cellular debris. Researchers exposed macrophages to UV-treated HeLa cervical cancer cells, which did not produce an immune response on their own.
When the dying cancer cells were paired with Noxopharm’s oligonucleotide, a TLR8-driven immune activation biomarker reached about seven times the level recorded in untreated cells.
The findings build on earlier work suggesting Sofra can expose cancer-derived RNA that would otherwise remain largely invisible to the immune system. Noxopharm says the latest study extends that concept to whole cancer cell debris, more closely reflecting the aftermath of tumour cell death.
Professor Michael Gantier of the Hudson Institute said the results suggested TLR8 could be sensitised to detect RNA that would otherwise remain hidden.
“By sensitising TLR8 to the detection of RNA that would otherwise remain hidden, we can activate macrophages and potentially initiate an immune response targeted against cancer cell debris,” he said.
Noxopharm chief executive Dr Olivier Laczka said the results supported Sofra's potential to complement chemotherapy and radiotherapy as the company moves toward in vivo proof-of-concept studies.
