Cantargia reported new preclinical data providing further support for its lead assets, the IL1RAP-binding antibodies nadunolimab (CAN04) and CAN10, in both cancer and cardiovascular disease. The data shows that IL1RAP blockade results in reduced vascular inflammation and that levels of IL1RAP correlate with various inflammatory markers in inflamed tissue. Vascular inflammation is considered integral for both cardiovascular disease and tumor growth. The findings demonstrate that antibody blockade of IL1RAP in a cell-based system results in decreased levels of multiple
inflammatory markers, including interleukin-6 (IL-6), produced by vascular cells. The data further indicates that these effects may lead to reduced recruitment of inflammatory immune cells. Notably, analyses of human atherosclerotic plaques show that the level of IL1RAP correlated with several of the inflammatory markers reduced by IL1RAP blockade, including IL-6.