Rutherrin® Enhances Immunotherapy Efficacy in Preclinical Studies

Toronto, ON / ACCESSWIRE / June 18, 2024 – Theralase® Technologies Inc. (TSXV:TLT) (OTCQB:TLTFF) has announced that its lead drug, Rutherrin®, has shown promise in increasing the efficacy of immunotherapy in preclinical research. The company specializes in developing light and radiation-activated small molecules for the destruction of cancer cells.

Immunotherapy, a promising technology in cancer treatment, works by stimulating the immune system to target cancer cells. However, cancer cells often evade detection by overexpressing checkpoint proteins that mask them from the immune system. Theralase®'s research indicates that Rutherrin® can reduce these checkpoint proteins, thereby enhancing the immune system’s ability to identify and destroy cancer cells.

Theralase®’s findings demonstrate that Rutherrin® not only directly kills cancer cells but also decreases PD-L1 proteins on their surface. This reduction allows immunotherapeutic drugs to more effectively block the remaining checkpoint proteins, offering a robust approach to cancer cell destruction. This advancement aims to increase the safety and efficacy of immunotherapy, potentially reducing the number of treatments required and minimizing adverse effects.

The study involved treatments on Non-Muscle Invasive Bladder Cancer (NMIBC) and Glioblastoma Multiforme (GBM) cells, where Rutherrin® significantly reduced PD-L1 expression. In combination with x-ray radiation, Rutherrin® further boosted Calreticulin expression, which aids in immune system activation. These findings indicate new opportunities for improved cancer cell targeting and destruction.