LAPping up TGF beta

Tilos Therapeutics Inc. aims to boost antitumor immunity by blocking TGF beta-induced production of immunosuppressive cells. By arresting TGF beta in its immature, inactive form, the company’s antibodies could be more effective than therapies that target the cytokine’s interactions after it has been activated.

Transforming growth factor (TGF) beta is produced by a variety of immune cells and initially exists in an inactive form in a complex with TGF beta latency-associated peptide (TGF beta LAP). Activation and release of TGF beta from the complex requires cleavage or a conformational change in TGF beta LAP...