Medfacto announced on the 10th that its preclinical research on the next-generation anticancer drug candidate 'MP010' has been selected as a Front Cover Article for the November issue of 'Cancer Cell,' an academic journal with the highest authority in the world.
Cancer Cell, with an Impact Factor (IF) of 56.1, is a cancer-specialized academic journal possessing influence comparable to renowned scientific journals such as 'NATURE' (Nature, IF=56.1) and 'Science' (IF=47.3).
Medfacto emphasized that its preclinical research on MP010 has clarified, for the first time in the world, an innovative technology that prevents the recurrence of primary cancer through in vivo immune memory and even prevents non-developed cancers of different types (secondary cancers).
Medfacto plans to enter clinical trials for MP010 in early next year. It expects the MP010 clinical trial to become a turning point in anticancer research based on inhibitors of transforming growth factor 'TGF-β,' which has been actively conducted worldwide until now.
Medfacto's MP010 is an anticancer drug candidate that selectively binds to 'Extra Domain-B Fibronectin' (EDB-FN), a protein overexpressed in the tumor microenvironment (TME) of various solid tumors, while targeting TGF-β, which induces immune evasion and metastasis in cancer.
The title of the MP010 research paper is 'Environmental Reprogramming and Induction of Durable Tumor Immunity via Blockade of Peritumoral TGF-β' (A Stroma-Sensing TGF-β blockade reprograms CAF–myeloid niches to induce durable tumor immunity).
Medfacto explained that, unlike existing systemic TGF-β suppression methods, MP010 selectively targets the peritumoral area, thereby minimizing effects on the whole body while possessing relatively strong anticancer efficacy. The study also demonstrated that by inducing long-term immune memory, it has an effect of defending not only against the recurrence of treated cancer but also against other types of cancer.
In this study, Medfacto reported that after administering MP010 to animal models of three types of low-response malignant pancreatic cancer and observing them, they confirmed a complete response rate of 75.0% to 87.5% and a long-term survival rate of 87.5%.
In particular, it was reported that when the same cancer cells were transplanted into animal models where pancreatic cancer had been completely treated with MP010, no tumors developed in any of the individuals. Furthermore, when cells from other types of pancreatic cancer, lung cancer, or bladder cancer were transplanted, no tumors developed in more than 80% of cases.
This is explained as being because MP010 redesigns the immune environment around the tumor to enhance antitumor activity, while 'CD4+' and 'CD8+' T cells learn long-term immune memory to suppress cancer occurrence.
Kim Sung-jin, Chairman of Medfacto who led this research, stated, "Cancer cells secrete TGF-β to neutralize the immune system and alter the surrounding environment to favor tumor growth and protection. In this study, we confirmed that a mechanism suppressing peritumoral TGF-β leads to complete cancer remission and long-term immune effects." He added, "This is significant as the first study showing that treatment and prevention of recurrence are possible by changing the 'soil,' which corresponds to the environment, even if the 'seed,' i.e., cancer cells, possess diverse genes."
Woo Jung-won, CEO of Medfacto, said, "Through new possibilities in immune memory research, we have demonstrated the potential for TGF-β inhibitors to expand into broad-spectrum anticancer drugs." He added, "We expect MP010 to become a 'game changer' leading a new medical paradigm that can defend against future cancers with the power of immunity."
Medfacto is simultaneously advancing clinical trials and early technology transfer for MP010. It plans to receive approval for an Investigational New Drug (IND) application in early next year and conduct trials in the United States and South Korea. Additionally, it is consulting with multiple global pharmaceutical companies on joint research and technology export of MP010. Last month, participating in 'Bio Japan 2026' held in Japan, it conducted over 20 meetings based on preclinical data and clinical trial plans for MP010.
Medfacto is also smoothly progressing the Phase 2 clinical trial for osteosarcoma of its representative pipeline 'Bactosertib.' In September, it received approval from the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety for a protocol amendment to add a medium-dose patient group in the osteosarcoma Phase 2 clinical trial.
in THEBIO
