申请人:SAN RAFFAELE CENTRO FOND
公开号:WO2011077245A2
公开(公告)日:2011-06-30
The invention relates to the discovery that human and murine tumors release LXR ligands (oxysterols) that inhibit CCR7 expression on maturing DC and, therefore, their migration to lymphoid organs. By inhibiting oxysterol synthesis (by Zaragozic Acid, ZA) or by inactivating oxysterols (gene therapy with sulfotransferase SULT2B1 b enzyme) long lasting antigen specific anti-tumor immune response mediated by DC is increased. Surprisingly, we also show that drugs interfering with sterol metabolism (i.e. ZA) in combination with a mAb depleting T regulatory cells potentiate the antitumor effect of the single treatments. This synergic effect is unexpected, providing a new effective combination therapy for the treatment of cancer. The invention also relates to the novel use of LXR ligand inactivators, or of LXR inhibitors/antagonists, for the treatment of cancer. These strategies can also be used in combination with a chemotherapy approach for the treatment of cancer patients.