Therapeutic Effect of PEGylated Recombinant Human Arginase (BCT-100) on Mesothelioma and Lung Adenocarcinoma in vitro and in vivo

Abstract

Lung cancer is the top cancer killer which can be divided into non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC) and small cell lung carcinoma. Eighty-five percent of lung cancer cases are NSCLC and adenocarcinoma is the major sub-type. Mesothelioma is a scarce malignant tumour that grows on the mesothelial surface of coelomic cavities which is a difficult-to-treat global disease. The clinically available treatment options include systemic chemotherapy, radiotherapy, targeted therapy and immunotherapy. Nevertheless, alternative therapeutic agents are urgently needed. Arginine is a semi-essential amino acid in selected tumors, but can be replenished intracellularly in normal cells. BCT-100 (arginase) displays anti-cancer activity by depleting arginine to ornithine. BCT-100 has shown anti-tumor effects in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), acute myeloid leukemia and melanoma in vitro and in vivo as well as HCC in a phase I/II clinical trial. In this talk, we will present the anti-cancer activity of BCT-100 in mesothelioma as well as combination effect of BCT-100 and alpha-difluoromethylornithine in lung adenocarcinoma using cell line and xenograft models.