GC Labcell has presented the preclinical trial data for new blood cancer treatment that combines its MG4101, a natural killer (NK) cell treatment, and Tafasitamab, a targeted-anticancer treatment developed by MorphoSys.

The company made its presentation during the annual conference of 61st American Society of Hematology (ASH).

MG4101 is an immune cell therapy that removes cancer cells by using NK cells -- innate immune cells extracted from the blood of healthy others -- while Tafasitamab is an anticancer antibody targeting CD19, a protein overexpressed explicitly in blood cancer.

“The study found that the effect of each monotherapy was excellent. When combined, however, it could have a higher anticancer effect,” GC Labcell said. “Animal studies confirmed increased antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) compared to the monotherapy of each agent.”

The study also found that the survival of co-administered groups with high ADCC was longer than that of single-administered groups, the company added. ADCC is a mechanism of action by which immune cells exert killing function on cancer cells and is known as an indicator of anticancer effects.

“Our study identified the possibility of treating lymphoma patients who did not respond to antibody monotherapy,” said Hwang Yu-kyung, director of GC Labcell’s Cell Therapy Research Center. “We will speed up the development of next-generation therapeutics.”

The two companies also applied for a global patent for its combination treatment in September.

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