Novel agent reactivates is a new therapy with dual mechanism of action to eliminate malignant stem cells and activate the immune system.
It is developed by Vall d´Hebron Institute of Oncology (VHIO), novel agent MSC-1 inhibits LIF and has now been shown to have a dual mechanism of action.
First, in tumours expressing high levels of LIF, this protein promotes the proliferation of cancer stem cells. LIF blockade eliminates these tumor-initiating stem cells, putting the brakes on metastatic cell spread and cancer recurrence.
Additionally, elevated LIF expression disables the anti-tumor alarm system and stops the immune system from thwarting cancer's plans. Blocking LIF reactivates the alarm to call an anti-tumoural immune response.
Pioneer of previous LIF studies, Joan Seoane and his team were the first to establish a link between this multi-functional protein and cancer as well as show that LIF blockade eliminates cancer stem cells and prevents disease progression and recurrence.
In this present paper, they have now revealed its implication in the immune system's anti-cancer response.
After several years of research and validating LIF's promise as a therapeutic target in preclinical and experimental models, Joan founded Mosaic Biomedicals, launched to identify, develop, potentiate and translate novel therapies into benefits for patients at the bedside as quickly as possible.
Mosaic has since brought the first-in-class MSC-1 LIF inhibitor closer to the clinic. This promising agent is currently being assessed in clinical trials for further development.
