Preclinical development of a humanized neutralizing antibody targeting HGF

Animal trials of an antibody against a growth factor involved in many types of cancer suggest the treatment has potential for use in humans. A large multi-institution research team in South Korea led by Junho Chung at Seoul National University College of Medicine and In-Hoo Kim at the National Cancer Center tested the anti-tumor effects of the antibody, which targets hepatocyte growth factor (HGF). It significantly suppressed the growth of glioblastoma brain tumor tissue in mice. The effect seems due to blockage of the interaction between HGF and the receptor protein on cell surfaces that it binds to. Tests in monkeys, and with human and monkey tissues assessed the antibody's pharmacological activity and toxicity in primate cells. The results suggest the treatment could be useful against human cancers. Its clinical potential should now be investigated.