Our immune system relies on distinct markers, called tumor antigens, to recognize what is and is not cancer. However, many tumors have a low antigen load and are thus largely hidden from the immune system. Because of this, new therapies that enlist the immune system to fight cancer (e.g., drugs such as OPDIVO® and KEYTRUDA®) are less effective than they could be, working well in only about 10% of patients.
Our company has identified 2 key cancer-specific enzymes that, when inhibited, reveal hidden tumors to the immune system. C-Reveal plans to develop inhibitors for these enzymes, which will allow the immune system to recognize, target, and attack cancer cells. They will also allow existing cancer immunotherapies to work in a greater number of patients.