Katsuaki Maehara: Removal of ICIs resistance by CAF-derived TSG-6 inhibition

Katsuaki Maehara, Cancer Biologist, shared a post on X:

“Removal of ICIs resistance by CAF-derived TSG-6 inhibition

 It is well known that TAMs and CAFs in the tumor microenvironment are key players in ICIs resistance. 

 In this paper, we found that TSG-6 secreted by CAF in ICIs-resistant pancreatic cancer acts on CD44 of suppressive macrophages to form an immunosuppressive environment.

 The administration of TSG-6 neutralizing antibody + PD-1 antibody + CTLA4 antibody in a xenograft model confirmed the following:

・Decrease in suppressive macrophages and Tregs
・Increase in CD8+ T cells
・Prolongation of survival period.

 There is certainly a synergistic effect with ICIs, but with this level of drug efficacy, it is not clear if there will be a clinical introduction.

 CAFs also play a role in physically blocking the infiltration of immune cells, so a drug that kills CAFs themselves may be more effective than suppressing the liquid factor of CAFs.”

Source: Katsuaki Maehara/X