Novel Cell-Based Therapies Treating Solid Tumors
Solid tumors create conditions that inhibit the functions of immune cells and escape destruction. In order to restore the ability of NK cells to kill the tumor cells, it is necessary to create modified NK cells that will overcome the ways in which solid tumors can inhibit normal NK cells.
The Unmet Need
Solid tumors present severe obstacles to treatment. They are resistant to existing therapies, are located in several organs through metastatic progression, and have powerful immunosuppressive capabilities. Through evasion of the immune system, particularly the inactivation of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes, such as
T cells, and through inactivation of NK-cells, tumors prevent the immune system from normal function
NK Bioscience’s approach
Our observations show that, in cell culture, normal NK-cells kill melanoma cells due to the lack of immunosuppressant factors. However, when we add those factors to the medium, normal NK-cells are completely inactive against the melanoma cells.
NK Bioscience has engineered human NK-cells that survive and grow in the presence of the major, known immunosuppressants. In high concentrations of those factors, the engineered NK-cells continue to kill human melanoma cells. Their activity is restored to levels equivalent to those of normal NK-cells in medium alone.
Current Development Status
NK Bioscience has created several cell lines that are active against solid tumors in the presence of high levels of immunosuppressant factors.
We have studied the growth of those cell lines under conditions where normal NK cells are inactivated.
The company has applied for patent protection for our proprietary cell lines.