Scientists develop antibody-ligand traps for checkpoint inhibitor-resistant cancers

A study showed a bifunctional antibody-ligand trap compound comprised of a checkpoint inhibitor and an ectodomain sequence from transforming growth factor (TGF) beta receptor II (TGFbeta-RII; TGFBR2) could treat checkpoint inhibitor-resistant cancers.

Previous studies showed high levels of TGF beta signaling in the tumor microenvironment were associated with lack of response to PD-L1 inhibition in cancer patients, and suggested blocking TGF beta could sensitize cancers to checkpoint inhibitor therapies (see BioCentury Extra, Feb. 14)...