Cancer

Mouse studies suggest inhibiting IL-4 alone or in combination with IL-13 could help treat gastric cancer. In a mouse model of gastric cancer, systemic double-knockout of IL-4 and IL-13 decreased the number of spasmolytic polypeptide-expressing metaplasia lesions, which are gastric cancer precursors, and pathological scores in the stomach compared with normal expression of IL-4 and IL-13. Also in the model, an anti-IL-4 antibody decreased pathological scores compared with no treatment. Next steps could include testing IL-4 and dual IL-4/IL-13 inhibitors in models of gastric cancer.

Sanofi has SAR156597, a bispecific mAb against IL-4 and IL-13, in Phase II testing to treat scleroderma and pulmonary fibrosis...