Masked ImmunoCytokines
Interferons have direct anti-tumor activity as well as being master regulators of immune response
Key Enabling Technology: IFN Masks
Immunocytokines with IFNs fused to Abs are potent anti- cancer therapeutics, but can result in systemic IFN receptor binding that can reduce the half-life of the therapeutic and/or cause toxicity
To prevent systemic IFN receptor binding, while maintaining anti-tumor activity, Qwixel has designed peptide masks that are expressed on the C-terminal end of the IFN and block its ability to bind to its receptor.
The masks are attached through a peptide sequence that is sensitive to cleavage by tumor-selective proteases; thereby allowing activation of the IFN selectively within the tumor environment
Three Levels of Tumor Selectivity
Immunocytokines with IFNs fused to Abs are potent anti- cancer therapeutics, but can result in systemic IFN receptor binding that can reduce the half-life of the therapeutic and/or cause toxicity
To prevent systemic IFN receptor binding, while maintaining anti-tumor activity, Qwixel has designed peptide masks that are expressed on the C-terminal end of the IFN and block its ability to bind to its receptor.
The masks are attached through a peptide sequence that is sensitive to cleavage by tumor-selective proteases; thereby allowing activation of the IFN selectively within the tumor environment