Development of a First-in-Class Therapeutic to Treat Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC)
Abstract
Lung cancer (LC) is the leading cause of cancer deaths in the United States. Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is the most common type of LC, comprising 82% of all LC. Despite significant advances in cancer therapeutics, there has been only a ~10% increase in survival rates since 1975, with an average 5-year survival rate of 21.7%. Additionally, compared to the general population, military Service Members are 25% more likely to receive a lung cancer diagnosis. The survival rate among Veterans has been historically lower than the general population. It is evident that there is an urgent need to develop new, more-effective treatments for NSCLC. Addressing the Area of Emphasis: Identify innovative strategies for the treatment of lung cancer. MicroQuin developed therapeutics focusing on a novel target, TMBIM6, to treat NSCLC effectively and safely. TMBIM6 is shown to be a critical regulator of LC cellular environment, metabolism, stress, metastasis, and survival. NSCLC patient clinical isolates have shown high levels of TMBIM6 expression both in the primary and metastatic tumors. High levels of TMBIM6 expression correlated with rapid tumor growth, tumor survival, chemoresistance, and spread (metastasis). When assessing patient populations, clinicians found a three- to fivefold reduction in patient survival in those whose tumors express high levels of TMBIM6. Inversely, the reduction of TMBIM6 expression significantly inhibits tumor growth, and in several cases, causes cancer to commit suicide. Data also indicate that ALL NSCLC patients would likely benefit from drugs that target TMIBM6, and that treatment response is not predicated by the varying levels of TMBIM6 expression within the different types of NSCLC. To take advantage of the significant role TMBIM6 plays in lung cancer, MicroQuin worked with NASA on the International Space Station to develop unparalleled understanding of the structure of TMBIM6. This detailed, structural information enabled MicroQuin to be the first in the world to create drugs (MQPs) that can modulate TMBIM6’s activity without having consequence on healthy cells. To date, our data have shown that, regardless of the types of NSCLC, our drugs can cause over 50% of cancer cells to die within 48 hours and over 90% within 96 hours. And more importantly, there have been no signs of toxicity. Optimizing MQPs has been piloted prior to this proposal, and excellent results were obtained in improving their drug-like properties. This is a 12-month project, after which we can enter formulation and IND-enabling studies for progression into clinical trials in a further 18 months. If MQP potential is realized clinically, this would create a revolutionary treatment that significantly reduces the mortality associated with NSCLC. At a minimum, our data indicate that MQPs will expand the available treatment options to patients and improving the survival and quality of life to both civilians and military Service Members alike.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Jan 04, 2024
- Source ID
- HT94252310397
Entities
People
- Keith Robinson
Organizations
- United States Army