AI
Tuesday, July 01, 2025 10:14:28 AM
You need to digest this X post from Dr. Caravello. Then you probably have an idea on why Merck acquired Acceleron Pharma for its activin signaling inhibitor, WINREVAIR.
$NWBO 🧩 The Immune Reset: DCVax L, Winrevair, and the Blueprint Merck May Already Be Building
— Andrew Caravello, DO (@andrewcaravello) July 1, 2025
In 2024, Merck launched a new drug, Winrevair (sotatercept), to treat a rare lung condition called pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). But beneath that modest label lies something… pic.twitter.com/vKPPbIb3bk
Activin signaling inhibitor (MK-7962)
Blocking activin signaling in DCs can enhance their ability to stimulate T cell responses, potentially leading to improved vaccine efficacy and anti-tumor immunity. By targeting activin signaling, researchers aim to modulate DC function in a way that promotes desired immune responses, such as enhancing anti-tumor immunity or reducing inflammation.
See the trial on breast cancer that Merck conducted in 2009? If I am not mistaken, basically back in 2009, Merck should know about the amazing efficacy of DCVax-L because in 2009 the amazing efficacy of DCVax-L in combination with TLR3/TLR7 was known already.
Study of Sotatercept for the Treatment of Chemotherapy Induced Anemia in Patients With Metastatic Breast Cancer (MK-7962)
https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT00931606
The reality is that over the past five years Merck has been making ready all the treatment possibly complementary to DCVax-L.
You haven't studied the trial I posted before, have you? If you have, you should see Merck conducted the trial testing the combination which included an anti-ILT4 IgG4 monoclonal antibody (MK-4830). Here is the connection between anti-ILT4 antibodies and DCs.
Again my advice to those who bet against the biggest breakthrough in medicine: Unless you want to lose pathetically, run away now!
Anti-ILT4 antibodies and Dendritic Cells (DCs):
ILT4 on DCs: ILT4 is expressed on DCs, particularly tolerogenic DCs, which are known to promote immune tolerance.
ILT4 and DC function: The interaction of ILT4 with its ligands, like HLA-G, on DCs can lead to a tolerogenic phenotype, reducing their ability to stimulate T cells and potentially inducing T cell anergy. This can be detrimental in the context of anti-tumor immunity.
Anti-ILT4 and DCs: By blocking ILT4 on DCs, the antibody can help to restore their function and potentially promote a more effective anti-tumor immune response. This can include activating DCs and T cells and boosting T-cell mediated immune responses against tumor cells.
Substudy 02C: Safety and Efficacy of Pembrolizumab in Combination With Investigational Agents or Pembrolizumab Alone in Participants With Stage III Melanoma Who Are Candidates for Neoadjuvant Therapy (MK-3475-02C/?KEYMAKER-U02)
https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT04303169
A Study of Combination Therapies With or Without Pembrolizumab (MK-3475) and/?or Chemotherapy in Participants With Advanced Esophageal Cancer (MK-3475-06A)
https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT05342636
