Cancer

Cell culture and mouse studies suggest inhibiting GM-CSF and MMP9 could help treat breast cancer in obese patients. In an obese genetic mouse model of breast cancer, white adipose tissue (WAT) levels of GM-CSF and MMP9 were higher than in WAT of normal mice. In another obese genetic mouse model of breast cancer, an anti-GM-CSF mAb plus an MMP9 inhibitor tool compound decreased tumor growth, intratumoral angiogenesis and metastasis to the lung compared with either agent alone. In an obese mouse model of triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), the combination therapy decreased tumor growth and intratumoral angiogenesis, and the MMP9 inhibitor decreased metastasis to the lung compared with vehicle. Next steps could include testing other inhibitors of GM-CSF and MMP9 in the models.

Amgen Inc. and Takeda Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd. have namilumab (MT203), a human mAb that neutralizes GM-CSF, in Phase II testing to treat psoriasis and rheumatoid arthritis...