HBC Immunology shares promising results for prostate cancer co-therapy

There are around 55,100 new prostate cancer cases in the UK every year

HBC Immunology (HBCI) has announced that an oral formulation of its lead peptide “significantly augmented” the anti-tumour activity of Pfizer/Astellas’ androgen receptor inhibitor Xtandi (enzalutamide) in prostate cancer models.

The company said the xenograft studies of FT-002a have been successfully completed and that it is “well positioned” to make an investigational new drug submission for the candidate in the fourth quarter of 2025.

There are around 55,100 new prostate cancer cases in the UK every year and hormone therapy, which blocks or lowers the amount of testosterone in the body, is a common treatment for the disease.

Tumours can, however, eventually find ways of overcoming treatment and start to grow and spread. HBCI outlined that co-therapies that are able to reinvigorate cancer treatments can provide vital clinical avenues to enhance tumour cell sensitivity, as well as reverse treatment resistance.

Cancer cells have an increased demand for iron compared to normal cells. Alongside elevated levels of tumour regression, FT-002a was associated with a significant decrease in biomarkers of free iron in prostate cancer tumour cells, which HBCI said “[validates] the proposed mode of action”.

The company’s chief executive officer, Bomi Framroze, said: “The ability of cancer to hack the iron metabolism pathways is an important driver of tumour growth and spread, and a means by which cancers can overcome the effects of treatment.

“Our lead peptide candidate, FT-002a, holds exciting potential to enhance the effectiveness of cancer therapy and improve the health and wellness of cancer patients.”