Targeted Immuno- and Radiopharmaceuticals for Cancer Treatment
Mark McLaughlin
Executive Vice President, Modulation Therapeutics Incorporated
Melanocortin 1 receptor is expressed at 94% and 90% on metastatic uveal and cutaneous melanoma. MC1RL-conjugates of known immunotherapy agents such as CD137 agonistic antibody are analogous to BiTEs (bispecific T-cell engagers), but they are much easier to optimize because the small MC1RL targeting ligand has binding affinity like that of an antibody, but is much easier to produce and to chemically conjugate with an immune effector antibody. We also have MC1RL-DOTA-Ac-225 conjugates and this targeted delivery of the powerful alpha-emitter, Ac-225, can deliver 30 MeV to a tightly targeted tumor microenvironment.