Dong-A ST Announces Preclinical Results of Immuno-Oncology Drug... "Phase 1 Application in Q2"

Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor Candidate 'DA-4505'
Confirmed AhR Inhibition, Immune Cell Activation, and Reduced Immune Suppression

Dong-A ST announced on the 20th that it presented the preclinical study results of its immuno-oncology drug candidate 'DA-4505' at the 'American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) 2023' held in Orlando, Florida, USA, from the 14th to the 19th.

Donga ST Biotech Research Institute. [Photo by Donga ST]

The American Association for Cancer Research is one of the world's top three cancer societies, hosting an annual conference where pharmaceutical and biotech companies from 120 countries worldwide share cancer-related knowledge and research achievements.

At this conference, Dong-A ST presented posters titled 'Antitumor Effects of the Novel Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor Antagonist DA-4505 as an Immunotherapy Agent in the Tumor Microenvironment' and 'Enhancement of Anticancer Surgery and Chemotherapy Efficacy through the Antitumor Mechanism of the Novel AhR Antagonist DA-4505.' DA-4505 is an aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) antagonist. AhR is a factor that regulates the immune system, suppressing immune responses and preventing tumor cells from being attacked.

In preclinical studies, DA-4505 inhibited AhR, restoring suppressed immune responses in the tumor microenvironment. Additionally, it activated stimulatory immune cells such as dendritic cells and T cells, and reduced the cancer cells' immune-suppressive functions. A Dong-A ST official stated, "Through preclinical comparisons with AhR antagonists developed by global pharmaceutical companies, we confirmed an improved tumor suppression effect," adding, "We also confirmed an enhanced tumor suppression effect through combination therapy of DA-4505 with global pharmaceutical companies' anti-PD-1 immune checkpoint inhibitors."

Jae-Hong Park, Head of Research and Development (R&D) at Dong-A ST, said, "Global pharmaceutical companies are developing anticancer drugs with new mechanisms, and many are rushing to develop AhR antagonists. In the preclinical studies of DA-4505, we confirmed AhR inhibition, immune activation, and reduction of immune suppression effects. We plan to submit an Investigational New Drug (IND) application for the Phase 1 clinical trial of DA-4505 in the second quarter of this year."

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