PD-1, also known as Programmed cell death protein 1 or CD279, is considered an immune check point protein. It functions as an inhibitory receptor expressed on activated T cells and serves as an important drug target in cancer treatment. Many drugs that target PD-1 are approved for the treatment of cancers, including advanced melanoma, Hodgkin lymphoma, lung, kidney, bladder and head and neck cancers. There are examples of cancer immunotherapy agents that target PD-1: Nivolumab, Pembrolizumab, Pidilizumab.
Now a company called Agenus initiates a phase 1/2 clinical trial of a new drug targeting PD-1. The drug is an anti-PD-1 antibody, known as AGEN2034. The aim of the study is to analyze the effectiveness and safety of the antibody in individuals with advanced solid tumors and to determine the recommended dose of AGEN2034 in individuals with second line cervical cancer. Dr Garo Armen, a member of Agenus, stated that this clinic trial is part of their research to develop combination therapies. One combination treatment strategy is combine PD-1 antagonist with CTLA-4 directed antibody.
AGEN2034 is an antagonist antibody targeting PD-1, which is expressed on activated T cells. The interaction between PD-1 with PD-L1 or PD-L2 molecules expressed on cancer cells suppresses T cells’ ability to destroy cancer cells. AGEN2034 inhibits PD-1’s function, resulting in higher cancer-killing ability of T cells. (Cusabio offers polyclonal antibody.)
Like PD-1, CTLA-4 is also an immune checkpoint protein that downregulates the immune system. There is a concept that simultaneously inhibiting PD-1/PD-L1 and CTLA-4 could have more significant therapeutic effect on cancer. Researchers will test the combination treatment in cancer patients, and findings of their study may lead to improvement of cancer treatment.
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