AUTHORS
Shao-Wei Lu, Hong-Chin Pan, Yu-Hsiang Hsu, Kung-Chao Chang, Li-Wha Wu, Wei-Yu Chen & Ming-Shi Chang
SUMMARY
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) and cancer-associated cachexia (CAC) are multifactorial and characterized by dysregulated inflammatory networks. Whether the proinflammatory cytokine IL-20 is involved in the complex networks of PDAC and CAC remains unclear. Here, we report that elevated IL-20 levels in tumor tissue correlate with poor overall survival in 72 patients with PDAC. In vivo, we establish a transgenic mouse model (KPC) and an orthotopic PDAC model and examine the therapeutic efficacy of an anti-IL-20 monoclonal antibody (7E). Targeting IL-20 not only prolongs survival and attenuates PD-L1 expression in both murine models but also inhibits tumor growth and mitigates M2-like polarization in the orthotopic PDAC model. Combination treatment with 7E and an anti-PD-1 antibody shows better efficacy in inhibiting tumor growth than either treatment alone in the orthotopic PDAC model. Finally, 7E mitigates cachexic symptoms in CAC models. Together, we conclude IL-20 is a critical mediator in PDAC progression.
REFERENCES
Lu, S., Pan, H., Hsu, Y. et al. IL-20 antagonist suppresses PD-L1 expression and prolongs survival in pancreatic cancer models. Nat Commun 11, 4611 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-020-18244-8
PRODUCT HIGHLIGHTS
The following Bio X Cell in vivo monoclonal antibodies were featured in the publication: