Promising Preclinical Data Shows Novel TREM-1 Inhibitor May Improve Pancreatic Cancer Treatment

Researchers at SignaBlok have unveiled promising preclinical data revealing a potential breakthrough in pancreatic cancer treatment using a novel TREM-1 inhibitor. The findings, set to be presented at the 2025 American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) Annual Meeting, suggest a groundbreaking approach to addressing one of the most challenging and deadly cancer types.

In experimental studies, the company's first-in-class macrophage-restricted TREM-1 inhibitor demonstrated significant therapeutic potential. Notably, when administered after standard chemotherapy, the drug prevented cancer recurrence and improved both complete response and survival rates. This approach differs critically from concurrent treatment methods, highlighting a nuanced strategy in cancer intervention.

Pancreatic cancer remains one of the most devastating malignancies, ranking as the third leading cause of cancer-related death in the United States. With a dismally low five-year survival rate of approximately 13% across all stages, the medical community has long sought innovative treatment approaches.

The research specifically targets TREM-1 (Triggering Receptor Expressed on Myeloid Cells 1), an inflammation amplifier critically involved in cancer pathogenesis. By strategically inhibiting this receptor, the drug not only prevents cancer recurrence but also reverses immunosuppression and potentially overcomes resistance to existing immunotherapies like anti-PD-L1 treatments.

Preclinical rodent studies indicated the TREM-1 inhibitor was safe and well-tolerated, providing an encouraging foundation for potential human clinical trials. The data also underscores the potential of SignaBlok's proprietary SCHOOL technology platform in developing targeted therapies with minimal failure risks.

While the research focused on pancreatic cancer, the implications extend to other inflammation-associated, hard-to-treat solid tumors. The approach represents a sophisticated understanding of how targeted molecular interventions might revolutionize cancer treatment strategies.

The research will be presented by Dr. Alexander B. Sigalov, SignaBlok's President and Principal Investigator, during Poster Session 52 at the AACR Annual Meeting in Chicago, offering the scientific community an in-depth look at this innovative therapeutic approach.