A groundbreaking cancer immunotherapy, PRL3zumab, developed by researchers from Singapore’s ASTAR Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology and biotechnology company IntraImmuSG, has shown promising results in a Phase II clinical trial. The trial, approved by the US Food and Drug Administration, demonstrated the therapy’s safety and efficacy in slowing disease progression in patients with advanced solid cancers unresponsive to existing treatments.
PRL3zumab is a novel humanised antibody therapy targeting PRL3, a protein highly expressed in 80% of solid tumours. Unlike conventional antibodies, PRL3zumab identifies cancer cells by targeting PRL3 when it appears on the cell surface, marking them for destruction by the immune system. This approach offers new hope for patients with aggressive, treatment-resistant cancers, including those who have exhausted standard immunotherapy options.
The trial enrolled 51 patients and reported no serious drug-related side effects. One patient with Stage IV gastric cancer experienced disease stabilisation for over 13 months, compared to the typical two months with existing treatments. Encouraging tumour shrinkage has also been observed in ongoing trials in Malaysia and China, with full results expected next year.
PRL3zumab’s development began with Professor Qi Zeng at ASTAR IMCB, who identified PRL3 in 1998. The therapy’s ability to target previously undruggable intracellular proteins marks a significant advancement in cancer treatment. “This research product has already benefited many late-stage cancer patients and offers new hope to those with rare aggressive cancers,” said Professor Zeng.
The success of PRL3zumab highlights the potential for innovative immunotherapy approaches to improve outcomes for patients with limited treatment options. As further studies continue, PRL3zumab could pave the way for new cancer therapies.
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