Program/Event
Undergraduate Research Showcase Spring 2025
Abstract
Avaren-Fc, a Novel Immunotherapeutic, Recruits NK Cells in B16F10 Melanoma Tumor Tissue
Sreevatsa Vemuri1, Katarina Mayer M.S.1, Nobuyuki Matoba, Ph.D.1, 2, 3
Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology1, UofL Health-Brown Cancer Center2, Center for Predictive Medicine3, University of Louisville School of Medicine
Abstract
Avaren-Fc (AvFc) is an experimental antibody-like molecule, consisting of a recombinant Avaren lectin translationally fused to the Fc region of human IgG1. This unique design targets N-linked high-mannose glycans, which are overrepresented on the surface of malignant cells, including melanoma. With limited effective therapies available for this deadly skin cancer, AvFc may offer a novel immunotherapeutic approach.
This study aims to evaluate AvFc’s effects on murine B16F10 melanoma tumors. Using fluorescent immunohistochemistry (IHC), we quantified NK cells (probed for NK1.1) and their activation (probed for CD107a) in tumor tissues treated with AvFc compared to the vehicle control. Based on our previous work, we hypothesized that AvFc treatment increases activated NK cells in the tumor microenvironment, indicative of NK-mediated antitumor activity.
A Wilcoxon Rank Sum Test showed a nearly significant increase in NK-1.1+ cells (p = 0.0555) and a significant CD107a+ signal (p = 0.0422) in AvFc-treated tissues compared to controls. There was a trend suggesting a correlation between NK-1.1 and CD107a in AvFc-treated tissues (p = 0.0572, r = 0.7108, Spearman Correlation). The results suggest enhanced recruitment and activation of NK cells in the tumor microenvironment with AvFc treatment.
Recommended Citation
Vemuri, Vatsa
(2025)
"Avaren-Fc, a Novel Immunotherapeutic, Recruits NK Cells in B16F10 Melanoma Tumor Tissue,"
The Cardinal Edge: Vol. 3:
Iss.
2, Article 8.
Available at:
https://ir.library.louisville.edu/tce/vol3/iss2/8