Distribution of antibody target in small cell lung carcinoma
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Assessment of FucosylGM1 expression in small cell lung carcinoma via antibody (SC134) binding
IRAS ID
317758
Contact name
Lindy Durrant
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Scancell
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 11 months, 31 days
Research summary
Sugars (glycans) on proteins and lipids dictate their biological function. In cancer, tumour cells change the makeup of these sugars with a view to helping them become more aggressive as well as to avoid immune detection. These changed sugars are ideal targets with which to attack tumours through the use of cancer glycan–specific antibodies.
At Scancell we have developed an antibody (SC134) that is extremely specific for a sugar-lipid (glycolipid, FucosylGM1) that is highly expressed in small cells lung cancer (SCLC), but absent or very weakly expressed by normal healthy cells. This antibody has been shown to be a perfect candidate to link with cytotoxic drugs and be used as a drug carrier to deliver the drugs to the tumour cells (ADC, antibody drug conjugate) or alternatively to be used as a bispecific antibody, redirecting T cells to attach the tumour cells (TCB, T cell redirecting bispecific).
Historic data suggest that approximately 60-80% of SCLC tumours express this sugar-lipid, but this percentage has been questioned and it has also been shown that the target is not expressed homogenously (evenly) throughout the tumour. Consequently, a better understanding of the target distribution would aid the further development of SC134 as an ADC or TCB.
The main aim of this study is to assess the sugar-lipid distribution frequency and intensity in SCLC cases via immunohistochemistry (IHC), in order to characterise our target SCLC patient population that would benefit from SC134 therapy. Sub-type analysis will provide further information on whether certain SCLC types are more likely to express the target.REC name
London - Stanmore Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
23/LO/0088
Date of REC Opinion
4 Apr 2023
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion