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Highlights
Stanford University researchers report enhanced radiotherapy effects with HMBD-002
Preclinical trials show prolonged survival in SCCHN tumour models
HMBD-002 positioned for further development in solid tumour indications
Percheron Therapeutics Ltd (ASX:PER) (OTC:PERCF), a clinical-stage biotechnology company listed on the ASX 200, has announced preclinical data from Stanford University showing its experimental antibody HMBD-002 improves radiotherapy outcomes in head and neck cancer models.
The findings, published in Cell Reports, reinforce the therapeutic rationale for combining HMBD-002 with radiotherapy and mark a key scientific advancement for the company’s pipeline targeting solid tumours.
Stanford-Led Study Shows Enhanced Outcomes in SCCHN
The research, led by Stanford’s Professor Quynh-Thu Le, explored the effect of HMBD-002 in preclinical models of squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN). Results showed that the addition of HMBD-002 to standard radiotherapy extended survival in mice, supporting further clinical development.
These outcomes highlight the role of the immune checkpoint VISTA in radiotherapy resistance and demonstrate the potential for HMBD-002 to reprogram the tumour microenvironment into an anti-tumour state. The therapeutic approach targets the suppression mechanisms often triggered during radiotherapy, aiming to enhance immune system response and reduce recurrence.
VISTA Identified as Key Immunosuppressive Pathway
The Stanford team discovered that radiotherapy activates VISTA expression in both cancer and immune cells, dampening immune activity at the tumour site. This biological response is believed to interfere with the body’s capacity to eliminate irradiated cancer cells, a major barrier in current treatment protocols.
HMBD-002, as a VISTA inhibitor, disrupts this process and reinvigorates the immune environment. In the study, mouse models treated with the combination of HMBD-002 and radiotherapy experienced a statistically significant increase in survival compared to those treated with radiotherapy alone.
The study’s data were particularly compelling in SCCHN, although immune enhancement was also observed to a lesser extent in melanoma and breast cancer models.
Implications for Broader Oncology Pipeline
The experiments used patient-derived xenograft (PDX) models, regarded as a benchmark in preclinical oncology for their ability to mirror human tumour biology. These models provided validation for the mechanism of action behind HMBD-002, strengthening the case for its integration in future trials involving radiotherapy.
Percheron Therapeutics has previously completed a Phase I safety study on HMBD-002, establishing its tolerability. The latest data offer a foundation for expanding clinical evaluation into SCCHN and other solid tumour indications such as lung and breast cancer.
Company Focus and Lead Program Development
Based in Australia, Percheron Therapeutics specialises in therapies for oncology and rare diseases. Its lead program, HMBD-002, is a first-in-class monoclonal antibody designed to block VISTA. The company's broader research platform seeks to target novel immunosuppressive pathways with the aim of addressing unmet needs in cancer treatment.
