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TuHURA Biosciences Unveils the Role of Delta Opioid Receptor in Overcoming Cancer Immunotherapy Resistance

TuHURA Biosciences, known for its innovative approaches in immuno-oncology, presented compelling new findings at the 67th American Society of Hematology (ASH) Annual Meeting held in Orlando, Florida. During the event, Dr. Michael Turner, the Vice President of Immunology at TuHURA, presented key data showing the Delta Opioid Receptor (DOR) as a novel target for overcoming the acquired resistance to immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs).

Understanding the Delta Opioid Receptor

Through his oral presentation titled "Delta Opioid Receptor (DOR) Expression on Myeloid-Derived Suppressor Cells (MDSCs) Represents a Novel Target to Overcome Resistance to Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors (ICIs)," Dr. Turner spoke about how DOR is expressed on MDSCs, a type of immune cell capable of creating an immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment. The data suggested that inhibiting the DOR leads to a reduction in the immune suppressive capabilities of MDSCs, implying that it could potentially reverse tumor-induced suppression of immune responses.

MDSCs are particularly notorious as they hinder anti-tumor immunity, making them a core focus in cancer immunotherapy research. The study presented by TuHURA corroborated previous findings linking DOR inhibition to decreased immunosuppressive factors produced by MDSCs, thereby enhancing T cell responsiveness against tumors.

Focus on Tumor-Associated Macrophages

In a complementary poster presentation, Dr. Krit Ritthipichai, the Director of Immunology at TuHURA, spoke about the relevance of DOR in tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs). The study showcased that DOR expression is also significantly high in these macrophages infiltrating tumors, which further indicates the potential of targeting DOR in combating their suppressive effects.

"The DOR is highly expressed among tumor-infiltrating myeloid cells, particularly TAMs, suggesting that targeting this receptor can be an effective strategy for reprogramming the immune landscape within tumors, alleviating T-cell dysfunction, and improving responses to checkpoint inhibitors and other cancer therapies," said Dr. Ritthipichai.

Potential Drug Development

TuHURA has made significant strides in drug development, creating a library of selective and potent DOR antagonists. The company aims to combine these with its immune-modulating bi-functional, bi-specific antibody drug conjugates (ADCs). The focus is on developing an ADC that links a DOR antagonist with a VISTA inhibiting antibody, aiming for a dual mechanism to enhance the effectiveness of current immunotherapies.

Dr. James Bianco, CEO of TuHURA, emphasized the critical role that innate immune components play in regulating inflammation and immune responses. He stated, "Our discovery positions DOR as a compelling target for therapeutic intervention in the treatment of cancer, particularly for patients who have previously developed resistance to other therapies."

Conclusion
The implications of these findings are profound. By establishing the DOR as a key player in immune suppression within tumors, TuHURA Biosciences is setting the stage for new treatment strategies that may significantly alter outcomes for cancer patients facing refractory or treatment-resistant diseases. As the company continues its frontier work in immuno-oncology, the future of cancer treatment could very well be influenced by their ongoing innovations surrounding the Delta Opioid Receptor.

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