SECN-15

SECN-15 is a potential first-in-class antisense oligonucleotide (ASO) developed by Secarna Pharmaceuticals. It specifically targets Neuropilin 1 (NRP1), a transmembrane protein implicated in various tumor-promoting functions, including angiogenesis, suppression of effector immune responses, cancer cell migration, and metastasis. NRP1 also contributes to the immunosuppressive capacity of tumor-associated macrophages and regulatory T cells within the tumor microenvironment. By binding to NRP1 mRNA, SECN-15 prevents its translation into protein, thereby simultaneously inhibiting all pro-tumorigenic functions mediated by NRP1. Preclinical studies have demonstrated that SECN-15 robustly downregulates NRP1 in relevant immune cell types both in vitro and in vivo, leading to increased T cell activation and remodeling of the extracellular matrix within tumors. This results in delayed tumor growth or complete eradication as monotherapy or when combined with immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs), such as PD-1/PD-L1 antibodies—even overcoming resistance to ICIs. The drug has shown an excellent safety profile with sustained systemic target knockdown and is being advanced for clinical development primarily for solid tumors where current immunotherapies show limited benefit; gastric cancer is the lead indication for planned Phase I/II trials[2][5][7][10].

Other names

neuropilin-1 antisense oligonucleotideneuropilin1 antisense oligonucleotideneuropilin 1 antisense oligonucleotideNRP1 ASONRP-1 ASONRP 1 ASO