Novel Monoclonal Antibody Treatment Halts Tumor Growth in Deadly Ovarian and Pancreatic Cancers

A research collaboration between Houston Methodist and The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center has identified a promising new antibody therapy for late-stage ovarian and pancreatic cancers. Termed “silent killers,” these cancers often go undetected until it is are too late to treat.

Stephen T.C. Wong, PhD, from Houston Methodist Dr. Mary and Ron Neal Cancer Center, and Samuel Mok, PhD, from The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, are collaborating to create an antibody as a new type of immunotherapy.

For any tumor, its surrounding environment plays a crucial role in promoting growth and progression. Tumor microenvironment is composed of different types of cells and proteins, each of which influences cancer cell growth, migration and differentiation.

A group of researchers led by Stephen T.C. Wong, PhD, from Houston Methodist Dr. Mary and Ron Neal Cancer Center, and Samuel Mok, PhD, from The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, identified a protein called MFAP5, which was elevated in the tumor microenvironment of both ovarian and pancreatic cancers. They also showed that MFAP5 plays a crucial role in promoting metastasis of these cancers, stimulating blood vessel formation within the tumor and enhancing cancer cells’ resistance to chemotherapy drugs. This made MFAP5 a promising therapeutic target for treating ovarian and pancreatic cancers.

To test if blocking MFAP5 produced a desirable anticancer effect, Wong and colleagues devised a new monoclonal antibody 130A that successfully blocked MFAP5 in preclinical models of ovarian and pancreatic cancer. Developed and patented by Wong and Mok, the antibody prevented the formation of new blood vessels within the tumor, thereby cutting off the support needed for tumor growth and proliferation. It also enhanced the bioavailability and effectiveness of other chemotherapy drugs and inhibited tumor growth as well as progression. Most importantly, treatment with the MFAP5-targeting antibody curbed tumor progression without producing noticeable toxic effects. Co-corresponding authors Wong and Mok published their findings in the journal Clinical Cancer Research.

“The lack of side effects can be attributed to the fact that MFAP5 is expressed at very low levels in normal cells compared to cells in the tumor microenvironment, which makes this therapy highly targeted,” said Wong.

After demonstrating the efficacy of their monoclonal antibody in preclinical models, the team’s next step will be to design an anti-MFAP5 antibody that can be used in human studies. According to Wong, this work requires the seamless convergence of expertise across varied disciplines such as biological science, computational science and engineering, making this a truly multidisciplinary effort.

Wong and Mok created the antibody to block the action of the MFAP5 protein, secreted by the cells that surround and support ovarian and pancreatic tumor cells.

Finding an effective targeted treatment for two of the most lethal cancers is like the holy grail of cancer research. This translational discovery has raised the prospect of developing a treatment for late-stage ovarian and pancreatic cancers. ”

– Stephen T.C. Wong, PhD

John S. Dunn Presidential Distinguished Chair in Biomedical Engineering

Professor of Computer Science and Bioengineering in Oncology

Cancer Center

Houston Methodist