Dr. Gorlick on the Use of Integrative Surfaceome Profiling to Identify Targets in Osteosarcomas

Richard Gorlick, MD, division head of the Division of Pediatrics at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, discussed results from a study examining the use of integrative surfaceome profiling to identify immunotherapeutic targets in patients with osteosarcomas.

At the 2021 AACR Annual Meeting, results from the study showed that proteomic profiling resulted in the identification of a large number of targets on the surface of an osteosarcoma, according to Gorlick. Some of the targets had been identified previously, although this had been done intuitively through random testing, which helped to support the findings, Gorlick explains. 

Additionally, investigators presented data on an agent called BT1769 that was not previously considered for testing in osteosarcoma. The agent is only being tested in this disease because of the data yielded from this research, Gorlick notes. The agent, which was developed by Bicycle Therapeutics, targets MMP-14. Data yielded from preclinical models will be presented during the meeting. 

Importantly, investigators have identified an agent that appears to have activity in preclinical models and may help to identify future targets for this patient population, Gorlick concludes.