NextCure Inc (NASDAQ:NXTC) recently announced the launch of its phase 1 and 2 clinical trials of NC410, which is an innovative immunomedicine that is aimed at treating cancer and other immunosuppressive illnesses.
NC410 is an innovative immunomedicine whose mechanism is engineered to prevent immune suppression caused by the release of an immune modulator known as LAIR-1. The phase 1 segment of the clinical trials will feature a dose-escalation cohort that will be used to determine the treatment’s tolerability and safety in patients suffering from advanced solid tumors.
The dose escalation aspect will also seek to establish the optimal dose of NC410 that patients can tolerate. Once the optimal dose is established, it will then be used in the phase 2 stage of the clinical studies. The clinical trials will also seek to establish the treatment’s efficacy in different types of tumors.
“We are pleased to initiate this first clinical trial of NC410, our second product candidate to reach the clinic, after a brief delay announced in April as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic,” stated NextCure’s CEO, Michael Richman.
The CEO also pointed out that the clinical trials represent an important milestone for the company, especially in its developmental process for next-generation cancer treatments. Richman also stated that NextCure is the first biopharma to target LAIR proteins at the clinical level. The CEO also noted that NC410 mimics the same functions of an immuno-regulatory protein called LAIR-2, which occurs naturally in the human body.
NextCure is currently developing NC410 alongside another therapy it calls NC318, which are currently among the developments through which the company plans to advance its pipeline. LAIR-1 is naturally produced in dendritic cells, macrophages monocytes, and T-Cells. LAIR-2 is a soluble and naturally occurring version of LAIR-1. Its mechanism is important because it prevents the immune suppression caused by LAIR-1.
Preliminary results have already demonstrated that LAIR-1 prevents dendritic cell and T-cell activities, which pave the way for tumor cells. NC410’s ability to block LAIR-1 means that dendritic cells and T-cells can normally function, thus preventing tumor growth.
