Immature myeloid cell activation pathway in inflammation-linked cancer

This technology identifies IL-8-driven mobilization of immature myeloid cells (IMCs) as a key driver of inflammation-associated cancer, providing a new target for therapeutic intervention in inflammation-linked cancers.

Unmet Need: Understanding mechanistic drivers linking inflammation to gastrointestinal cancer progression

Current research tools do not adequately capture the cellular mechanisms that connect chronic inflammation to the development and progression of gastrointestinal cancers. Existing models overlook key immune-cell behaviors that are thought to exacerbate inflammatory damage and promote tumor growth, thereby limiting our ability to fully understand disease initiation or identify effective intervention points. A clearer understanding of these cellular drivers is necessary to enhance both mechanistic insight and the development of therapeutic strategies, while overcoming the translational gaps in current approaches.

The Technology: IL-8 regulation of immature myeloid cells exposes tumorigenesis intervention opportunities

This technology identifies that IL-8-dependent mobilization of immature myeloid cells (IMCs) is a biological driver of inflammation and gastrointestinal tumorigenesis. The mechanism involves IL-8 triggering rapid expansion and trafficking of IMCs from the bone marrow into inflamed or dysplastic tissues, where they enhance immune cell infiltration, promote stromal remodeling, and increase angiogenesis. These collective effects intensify inflammatory injury and create a microenvironment that supports tumor initiation, growth, and progression. This technology thus identifies IMC mobilization as a targetable process underlying inflammation-associated cancer without relying on tumor-cell-intrinsic IL-8 expression.

This technology has been validated in human IL-8 transgenic mouse models across inflammatory and gastrointestinal cancer settings.

Applications:

  • Antibody therapy development
  • Small molecule therapy development
  • Biomarker discovery
  • Integration into current IL-8 therapeutics
  • Research tool to investigate gastrointestinal cancer progression
  • Drug screening
  • Pre-clinical cancer modeling
  • Diagnostic tool for gastrointestinal cancer and inflammatory conditions

Advantages:

  • Identifies driver of inflammation-linked cancer
  • Identifies targetable axis in cancer therapy (IL-8 and IMCs)
  • Can be used in patient-specific immune profiling
  • Opens new therapeutic opportunity space
  • Informs druggable targets

Lead Inventor:

Timothy Wang, M.D.

Related Publications:

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