The tumor microenvironment may contain innate immune cells that can have pro-tumor functions such as tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) and anti-tumor functions such as γδ T lymphocytes. It has been shown that the activation of immunity in tumors can be greatly enhanced by the elimination of pro-tumor TAMs. We have produced and patented a monoclonal antibody, called 6-25, that specifically recognizes pro-tumor TAMs of chronic lymphocytic leukemia, called nurse like cells (NLC). The membrane target of this antibody is thought to be associated with the aggressiveness of the disease. The prospects are to use this antibody for therapeutic purposes in oncology in combination with more or less specific T lymphocytes activating molecules, such as phosphoantigens and/or antibodies targeting immune-checkpoints. The determination of the membrane target of the 6-25 antibody and the study of the biology of this target may lead to fundamental data on the pro-tumor functions of TAMs in cancer tumors in general.

Clustering of leukemic B cells (red) around a Nurse Like Cell NLC (green)

Funding :

Janssen Horizon, Toulouse Tech Transfer, Inserm Tranfert, Prématuration Région Occitanie, Cancéropole GSO.