Syros scientists discovered alterations in regulatory regions of the genome in tumor-associated macrophages in a subset of patient tissues, the company said on Tuesday. Because these alterations are unique to the immunosuppressive state, they could point to genes critical for driving immunosuppression in the tumor microenvironment, as well as potential drug targets to reactivate the immune system to fight cancer.
Andrew Lowy, M.D., Professor of Surgery and Chief of the Division of Surgical Oncology at the University of California San Diego Moores Cancer Center, Syros’s collaborator, said: “Syros’ gene control platform provides a unique lens for understanding how cancer can evade and manipulate the body’s immune system to fuel its growth and become resistant to existing therapies. Through investigation of the immune components within the tumor microenvironment, our hope is to develop medicines that can unleash our natural defenses against cancer.”
“The inclusion of our research at this conference reflects the recognition among academic and industry leaders of the promise of Syros’ gene control platform to uncover important insights into the mechanisms employed by cancer cells to essentially shut down the immune response within the tumor and to create drugs that can increase killing of tumor cells by the immune system,” said Eric Olson, Chief Scientific Officer of Syros.