Percheron Therapeutics Ltd has unveiled promising preclinical data for its investigational cancer drug HMBD-002, demonstrating potential efficacy against triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), one of the most aggressive and treatment-resistant forms of breast cancer. The findings, published in the peer-reviewed journal Cancer Research, show the drug's ability to block tumor growth in mouse models expressing high levels of the VISTA immune checkpoint.
The preclinical studies, conducted by Professor Josh Gruber at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, revealed that HMBD-002 effectively blocked tumor growth in TNBC mouse models, achieving a statistically significant reduction in tumor size (p < 0.0001) in VISTA-expressing animals.
Addressing Critical Unmet Medical Need
TNBC represents a particularly challenging oncology indication, accounting for approximately 10-15% of all breast cancer cases and affecting around 30,000 new patients annually in the United States. The disease is characterized by its resistance to existing therapies, making it one of the most significant areas of unmet medical need in cancer treatment.
"There are few effective treatments for TNBC, and the disease represents one of the most significant areas of unmet need in cancer therapy," said Dr James Garner, CEO of Percheron Therapeutics.
Research indicates that 25-30% of TNBC tumors express VISTA, a protein that plays a key role in immune suppression, making it an attractive therapeutic target for improving patient outcomes in this difficult-to-treat cancer subtype.
Novel Dual Mechanism of Action
The preclinical data suggests HMBD-002 may offer a differentiated approach compared to existing immunotherapies. Unlike conventional treatments such as Keytruda (pembrolizumab), which primarily target immune pathways, HMBD-002 appears to have a dual mechanism of action that may also modulate growth signals like EGFR.
This novel mechanism could provide a unique treatment option for patients who have not responded to existing therapies, potentially offering new hope for those with limited therapeutic options.
Broader Therapeutic Potential
Beyond TNBC, HMBD-002 has demonstrated promise in combination with radiotherapy for squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN), with recent research from Stanford University supporting its potential as a broad-spectrum cancer therapy.
Clinical Development Timeline
The new preclinical data opens pathways for exploring HMBD-002 as a treatment specifically for TNBC patients with high VISTA expression. Percheron is evaluating strategies for advancing the drug into phase II clinical trials, with additional data expected in Q4 2025.
The company plans to share final results from its ongoing phase I study of HMBD-002 in patients with advanced cancer in Q4 2025, which will provide further insights into the drug's safety profile and potential for broader clinical application.
"The data from Professor Gruber and colleagues provides a compelling indication that a VISTA inhibitor such as HMBD-002 may have a role to play in the future management of this condition," Dr Garner emphasized.
As Percheron prepares for the next phase of clinical development, the company will continue discussions with researchers, clinicians, and advisors to refine its approach to TNBC and other oncology indications.
