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Highlights
- New antibody shows benefits when used with radiotherapy
- Immune suppression target VISTA linked to treatment resistance
- Early-stage results support advancement into clinical trials
Preclinical research from Stanford University has spotlighted Percheron Therapeutics (ASX:PER) and its investigational antibody HMBD-002 in efforts to improve treatment strategies for squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN). The results were published in Cell Reports, offering early-stage evidence of how this therapy may work alongside radiotherapy in hard-to-treat cancers.
The new findings are relevant in the broader context of innovation across oncology, including among ASX100 companies advancing immunotherapies and targeted treatments.
HMBD-002 and Radiotherapy: Complementary Approach
HMBD-002 is designed to target VISTA, a molecule known for suppressing immune responses in cancer environments. According to the research, when radiotherapy was combined with HMBD-002, the treatment response was more robust compared to radiotherapy alone. This combination appeared to prolong survival in preclinical models by modifying the tumour microenvironment into a state more favourable for immune system activity.
In SCCHN, radiotherapy remains a key treatment option but is often hindered by tumour resistance and recurrence. The Stanford study suggests that this resistance may be linked to VISTA activity. Blocking this immune checkpoint with HMBD-002 could counteract those effects, allowing the body to better target and eliminate cancer cells following radiation exposure.
Broader Implications Beyond SCCHN
Although the standout results were observed in SCCHN models, the research also explored effects in other cancers such as melanoma and breast cancer. While immune activation was more moderate in those models, it still points to broader applicability of this mechanism.
Historically, combinations of radiotherapy with checkpoint inhibitors like PD-1 have shown limited benefit in similar contexts. This new direction — targeting VISTA instead — may offer an alternative for enhancing outcomes without relying on those conventional pathways.
Looking Toward Clinical Development
These insights were generated using patient-derived xenograft (PDX) models, which are known for better replicating human tumour characteristics. While further clinical trials will be essential to validate these outcomes in humans, the study reinforces the scientific rationale for developing HMBD-002 further, particularly in tandem with radiotherapy.
Percheron Therapeutics continues to focus on advancing HMBD-002, following earlier safety results from Phase I studies. The company plans to move into the next stages of clinical research in the coming year, with indications likely to include SCCHN, as well as other solid tumour types where radiotherapy plays a central role.
