The revelation of encouraging preclinical data caused Portage Biotech Inc.’s (NASDAQ: PRTG) stock price to spike higher. PRTG shares were trading at $12.90 as of the most recent premarket session, indicating a noteworthy 52.66% increase.
Positive PORT-7 Data Is Revealed
Portage Biotech (PRTG) unveiled confirmatory preclinical efficacy results for the selective adenosine A2B receptor inhibitor PORT-7 (TT-4). Dr. Luciano Mutti, a world-renowned expert in mesothelioma from the University of L’Aquila, Italy’s Department of Applied Clinical Sciences and Biotechnology, conducted the investigation.
The American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) Annual Meeting, which is being held today at the McCormick Place Convention Center in Chicago, is where Dr. Mutti is expected to give the comprehensive results.
Better Preclinical Trial Outcomes
PORT-7 demonstrated better single-agent efficacy than anti-PD1 antibody therapy alone in a murine mesothelioma model. Additionally, the anti-PD1 and PORT-7 combination treatment worked better than each monotherapy, indicating a potent synergistic impact.
Tumors from mice treated with the mixture showed the development of tertiary lymphoid structures, according to immunohistochemical examination, suggesting a positive immune response. An increase in immune effector cells, which suggested a better anti-tumor immunological milieu, further supported this.
These findings present a promising opportunity for developing therapeutic approaches against immune-resistant malignancies, given the aggressive character of mesothelioma and the dearth of efficient therapies.
Progressing Strategically Toward Clinical Trials
With PORT-7, Portage Biotech is getting ready to start a first-in-human clinical trial. At the same time, PRTG is advancing PORT-6, a strong and specific A2A adenosine receptor inhibitor, into the dosage escalation phase.
The current ADPORT-601 study is planning to co-administer PORT-6 and PORT-7, which would be the first time two highly specific A2A and A2B antagonists are used together in human patients.
By using this novel strategy, Portage Biotech (PRTG) hopes to completely prevent adenosine-induced immunosuppression in the tumor microenvironment, boosting anti-tumor immune responses and increasing the effectiveness of immunotherapy for a wider variety of solid tumors.
