Faron Pharmaceuticals Limited (AIM:FARN) has published new preclinical data suggesting that its investigational cancer drug bexmarilimab could enhance the effect of standard treatments for two aggressive blood cancers, offering fresh hope for patients with limited options.
The study, published in Scientific Reports, focused on acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) and myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS), diseases often resistant to immunotherapy.
Faron's approach targets CLEVER-1, a protein found on immune-suppressing macrophages and malignant cells. By blocking this protein, bexmarilimab may help restore the body’s immune response and improve sensitivity to existing drugs such as azacitidine and venetoclax.
Lab tests using patient bone marrow samples showed that adding bexmarilimab led to stronger immune signalling and, in some cases, reduced the viability of leukaemia cells, particularly those resistant to venetoclax.
The triple combination was notably more effective than current treatments alone.
The drug is already in clinical trials, with new results from a phase II study due soon.