| Grant ID | RP220470 |
| Awarded On | February 16, 2022 |
| Title | Overcoming liver toxicity of anti-CD137 cancer immunotherapy |
| Program | Academic Research |
| Award Mechanism | Individual Investigator |
| Institution/Organization | The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio |
| Principal Investigator/Program Director | Alexei Tumanov |
| Cancer Sites | All Sites |
| Contracted Amount | $969,471 |
| Lay Summary |
Novel antibody-based immunotherapies for cancer are having major clinical impact. However, accompanying immune-mediated adverse reactions, such as liver toxicity, remain the major obstacle of these therapies. Costimulatory molecule called CD137 is a powerful target for immunotherapy. Unfortunately, clinical trials of anti-CD137 antibody (Urelumab) in patients with advanced cancers revealed dramatic liver toxicity. Therefore, overcoming liver toxicity, a major roadblock of anti-CD137 and other checkpoint molecule targeted therapies is crucial. Our preliminary data identified an immune molecule, called lymphotoxin beta receptor (LTbR) as a critical regulator of anti-CD137 antibody induced hepa... |