Inhibitors of the ceramide metabolic pathway forovercoming immunotherapy resistance in cancer

Advanced cutaneous melanoma can be treated by immunotherapy targeting immune check points such as PD-1 and CTL-A4. However, 50% of patients do no respond because of primary or acquired resistance mechanism. Thus, new targets for addressing the treatment of said resistance are highly needed. The inventors show that TNF (Tumour Necrosis Factor) and ceramide metabolism alterations in melanoma cells contribute to melanoma progression and resistance to immunotherapies. In particular, the inventors demonstrate that TNF is a potent modulator of ceramide metabolism and TNF-mediated ceramide metabolism changes contribute to various biological processes such as cell proliferation, cell death and cell differentiation. Among the biological processes by which TNF triggers melanoma immune escape and resistance to immunotherapies, TNF triggers a dedifferentiation process of melanoma cells associated with the reduction of melanocytic antigen expression and epithelial to mesenchymal transition. Finally, the inventors show that glycosphingolipid pattern in plasma can predict the clinical outcome of advanced melanoma treated with ipilimumab and nivolumab. Accordingly, ceramide metabolites and metabolizing-enzymes can be new therapeutic targets and/or biomarkers in advanced melanoma patients treated with immunotherapies.

Keywords: melanoma, resistance mechanism, Immune Check Point, Ceramide metabolite
Patent Application number: European Procedure (Patents) (EPA) - 06 Sept. 2022 - 22 306 318.1 and PCT/EP2023/074343 on 06/09/2023
Inventors:
MEYER Nicolas; ANDRIEU-ABADIE Nathalie; MONTFORT Anne; DUFAU Corine; GENAIS Matthieu; SEGUI Bruno; JUNG Benjamin; DELORD Jean-Pierre; LEVADE Thierry

Reference:

BIO22410-D1

    Business Developper
    contact
    Inserm Transfert
    Business Developer
    Patent filling date: 06-09-2022
    Rare disease: No
    Second indication: No

    You might also be interested in