Abstract B083: Human tumor-based identification of immune checkpoint targets

The recent advances in immune checkpoint (IC) blockade highlight the need to develop novel IC drug combinations. However, it remains challenging to determine which IC should be targeted in a particular indication. Enumeral uses an innovative approach to identify relevant ICs for which blockade could restore immune cell function. We use our proprietary single cell technology to assess the tumor microenvironment of human tissues and to elucidate the appropriate IC to antagonize on tumor infiltrating lymphocytes. Once appropriate IC targets are found in human tumors, monoclonal antibodies are generated and validated in vitro and ex-vivo. We tested combinations of monoclonal antibodies against ICs at the single cell level in tumor samples for reversal of immune cell exhaustion. Several anti-PD-1 and anti-TIM-3 lead candidates have been characterized in preparation for clinical studies using this strategy. Citation Format: Thomas McQuade, Yanyan Wang, Daniel Doty, Najmia Amirina, Sri Vadde, Hareesh Chamarthi, Cokey Nguyen, Sheila Ranganath, Jennifer Watkins-Yoon. Human tumor-based identification of immune checkpoint targets. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the CRI-CIMT-EATI-AACR Inaugural International Cancer Immunotherapy Conference: Translating Science into Survival; September 16-19, 2015; New York, NY. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Immunol Res 2016;4(1 Suppl):Abstract nr B083.