Quantum Immunologics, Inc. (QI), a Florida-based company specializing in cancer immunotherapy, has recently filed two provisional patent applications relating to their work in cancer immunotherapy.
The company's research is focused on the use of the oncofetal antigen ("OFA"), or more specifically, iLRP - immature Laminin Receptor Protein, as a cancer immunogen (a cancer target against which the immune system is directed) found in many tumor cell lines or fetal tissue, but not found in normal mature tissue. This makes it a unique target for personalized anti-cancer therapy for multiple cancers. The company is currently conducting clinical trials using OFA/iLRP as an immunogen in Stage IV breast cancer patients. The FDA-approved trial involves using the body's own immune cells, i.e., the dendritic cells, to recognize OFA/iLRP as a foreign protein and to have them direct the immune system against the cancer cells.
The first patent application describes the discovery of protein sequences, known as a peptides, found on the OFA/iLRP protein that are thought to be more immunogenic and more specific than the OFA/iLRP protein as a whole. With the discovery of these sequences, QI believes that dendritic cell recognition of the foreign cancer protein can be more efficient and specific, and will therefore result in a more effective immunotherapy treatment against malignancy. Additionally, QI researchers believe that it may also be possible to someday inoculate patients directly with the peptides as a direct immunogen to create immunity against cancer without the use of dendritic cells.