Preclinical studies with IRX-2 and thymosin alpha1 in combination therapy.
Thymosin alpha1 (Talpha1) is a 28 amino acid biologically active protein with pleiotropic immune enhancing activity. IRX-2 is a primary cell-derived biologic containing multiple cytokines that enhance dendritic cell maturation, promote T-cell growth and differentiation, and inhibit tumor-mediated apoptosis of T cells. IRX-2 is being developed as an immunotherapeutic agent as a novel T-cell adjuvant platform for vaccines as well. Based on their biological activities, thymosin alpha1 and IRX-2 were predicted to exhibit synergistic effects when evaluated in animal and human studies. In animal studies, the combination of IRX-2 and Talpha1 (IRX-3) increased T-cell numbers compared to either alone during recovery from hydrocortisone mediated reduction. IRX-3 further enhanced reduction in tumor burden following chemotherapy compared to IRX-2. Based on these studies, IRX-3 is predicted to be especially important in a setting where reversal of immune suppression due to the presence of tumor, irradiation, and/or chemotherapy is likely to be an important factor in cytokine activity.
Naylor
Paul H
PH
IRX Therapeutics Inc, Farmingdale, NY, USA. pnaylor@irxtherapeutics.com
Hadden
John W
JW
D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000818:Animals; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology; D016207:Cytokines / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology*; D003713:Dendritic Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D051379:Mice; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000378:metabolism; D000077596:Thymalfasin; D013947:Thymosin / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology
D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic; D016207:Cytokines; C114857:IRX 2; D013947:Thymosin; D000077596:Thymalfasin