Humanized anti-CD4 antibody (IT1208): solid tumor project
- Transient depletion of CD4 cells from tumor-bearing mice leads to tumor-specific CD8 cell activation and proliferation, resulting of infiltration into the tumor of CD8 cells with anti-tumor activity.
- Combination of CD4 depletion with immune checkpoint antibodies results in synergistic anti-tumor efficacy in several mouse tumor models.
- Because treatment induces CD8 proliferation, efficacy can be assessed using blood tests, without the need for tissue biopsies.
- Anti-CD4 treatment ameliorates the adverse effects (e.g. autoimmune-like diseases) caused by immune checkpoint blockade.
- A physician-driven phase I clinical trial currently underway with the support of AMED.

Humanized anti-CD4 (IT1208): GVHD project
- Although allo-HSCT is the only treatment option for hematological malignancies, it can result in adverse effects such as severe GVHD.
- Depletion of donor CD4 T cells provides a way to avoid both leukemia-related mortality as well as GVHD-related mortality.
- We have reproduced this phenomenon in a humanized mouse model with a humanized anti-CD4 antibody.
- Planning is underway for a GVHD clinical trial based on the results of a phase I clinical trial in solid tumors.