aTyr Pharma Presents Preclinical Research Demonstrating Treatment with ATYR2810 Inhibits Tumor Growth and Therapy Resistance in Highly Aggressive Cancers at the 2023 AACR Annual Meeting
The poster presents preclinical findings characterizing the inhibition of tumor growth and therapy resistance in aggressive cancers overexpressing VEGF-C treated with ATYR2810, a fully humanized monoclonal antibody that selectively and functionally blocks neuropilin-2 (NRP2) and VEGF-C signaling by directly binding at the site of the VEGF binding pocket. Treatment with ATYR2810 monotherapy and in combination with chemotherapy in a model of non-small cell lung cancer demonstrated increased tumor growth inhibition and sensitivity to chemotherapy. In a model of clear cell renal cell carcinoma, ATYR2810 in combination with the VEGFR-targeted therapy sunitinib inhibited tumor growth and led to tumor regression in some cases. These data demonstrate the potential therapeutic effects of blocking the NRP2/VEGF-C signaling axis with ATYR2810 on enhanced tumor growth inhibition and sensitivity to chemotherapy and targeted therapy.
“High levels of VEGF-C are known to be associated with key features of aggressive cancers, including therapy resistance, whether this resistance is intrinsic or acquired throughout the treatment paradigm,” said
Details of the poster and corresponding abstract are as follows:
Title: Resistance to cancer therapy via upregulation of the NRP2/VEGF-C axis can be neutralized by ATYR2810
Authors:
Abstract Presentation Number: 1758
Session Title: Reversal of Drug Resistance
Session Date and Time:
Location:
Poster Board Number: 23
About ATYR2810
ATYR2810 is a fully humanized monoclonal antibody that is designed to specifically and functionally block the interaction between neuropilin-2 (NRP2) and one of its primary ligands, VEGF. NRP2 is a cell surface receptor that is highly expressed in certain tumors, in the lymphatic system and on key immune cells implicated in cancer progression. Increased NRP2 expression is associated with worse outcomes in many cancers. VEGF is a validated mediator of tumor survival and growth and correlates with tumor invasiveness and metastasis. Current therapies that directly target classic VEGF/VEGFR signaling do not block NRP2/VEGFR signaling. ATYR2810 is in preclinical development for the treatment of aggressive cancers where NRP2 is implicated.
About aTyr
aTyr is a biotherapeutics company engaged in the discovery and development of first-in-class medicines from its proprietary tRNA synthetase platform. aTyr’s research and development efforts are concentrated on a newly discovered area of biology, the extracellular functionality and signaling pathways of tRNA synthetases. aTyr has built a global intellectual property estate directed to a potential pipeline of protein compositions derived from 20 tRNA synthetase genes and their extracellular targets. aTyr’s primary focus is efzofitimod, a clinical-stage product candidate which binds to the neuropilin-2 receptor and is designed to downregulate immune engagement in fibrotic lung disease. For more information, please visit www.atyrpharma.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements are usually identified by the use of words such as “potential” and variations of such word or similar expressions. We intend these forward-looking statements to be covered by such safe harbor provisions for forward-looking statements and are making this statement for purposes of complying with those safe harbor provisions. These forward-looking statements include statements regarding the potential therapeutic benefits and applications of NRP2 antibodies, including ATYR2810; timelines and plans with respect to certain development activities; and certain development goals. Forward-looking statements also reflect our current views about our plans, intentions, expectations, strategies and prospects, which are based on the information currently available to us and on assumptions we have made. Although we believe that our plans, intentions, expectations, strategies and prospects, as reflected in or suggested by forward-looking statements, are reasonable, we can give no assurance that the plans, intentions, expectations or strategies will be attained or achieved. All forward-looking statements are based on estimates and assumptions by our management that, although we believe to be reasonable, are inherently uncertain. Furthermore, actual results may differ materially from those described in these forward-looking statements and will be affected by a variety of risks and factors that are beyond our control including, without limitation, uncertainty regarding the geopolitical and macroeconomic conditions, including the COVID-19 pandemic, risks associated with the discovery, development and regulation of our product candidates, the risk that we or our partners may cease or delay preclinical or clinical development activities for any of our existing or future product candidates for a variety of reasons (including difficulties or delays in patient enrollment in planned clinical trials), the possibility that existing collaborations could be terminated early, and the risk that we may not be able to raise the additional funding required for our business and product development plans, as well as those risks set forth in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended
Contact:
Director, Investor Relations and Corporate Communications
adunston@atyrpharma.com
Source: aTyr Pharma, Inc.