Cancer

Mouse studies suggest inhibiting TLR3, TLR7 and TLR9 could help treat bladder, head and neck, and lung cancers. In mouse models of bladder and lung cancers, systemic knockout of the three TLRs decreased tumor growth compared with normal expression. In a mouse model of head and neck cancer, systemic knockout of TLR3, TLR7 and TLR9 decreased tumor growth and increased tumor apoptosis and leukocyte numbers in tumors. Next steps could include testing combinations of TLR3 inhibitors and dual TLR7/TLR9 inhibitors in the models.

Dynavax Technologies Corp. has DV1179, a TLR7 and TLR9 inhibitor, in Phase I testing to treat autoimmune diseases, lupus, systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), scleroderma and inflammation...