HCW9218

HCW9218 is a novel bifunctional fusion protein complex designed as an immunotherapeutic agent for cancer. It comprises dimeric extracellular domains of the human transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β) receptor II and human interleukin-15 (IL-15)/IL-15 receptor α domains. The drug acts by both stimulating immune effector cells, such as NK cells and CD8+ T cells, and sequestering soluble immunosuppressive TGF-β in the tumor microenvironment. This dual mechanism reduces immunosuppression, enhances immune cell infiltration and cytotoxicity within tumors, eliminates therapy-induced senescent (TIS) cancer cells, and potentially lessens proinflammatory side effects in normal tissues caused by chemotherapy. Preclinical studies have shown that HCW9218 augments anti-tumor activity of chemotherapy, therapeutic antibodies, and checkpoint blockade therapies. It is administered subcutaneously and is being developed primarily for advanced/metastatic solid tumors including pancreatic cancer[1][2][5][6][7].