Xenetic Biosciences Partners with Tokyo Medical University for DNase-Based Oncology Platform

Xenetic Biosciences, Inc. (NASDAQ: XBIO), a biopharmaceutical company dedicated to developing innovative immune-oncology technologies for treating challenging cancer indications, announced a new collaboration with Tokyo Medical University. The partnership, established through a Materials Transfer Agreement, aims to advance the development of Xenetic's systemic DNase program.

The research program will be led by Professor Takuro Nakamura from the Department of Experimental Pathology at Tokyo Medical University. The focus is on evaluating the effects of human recombinant DNase I (rhDNase I) in combination with chemotherapy, utilizing a proprietary immunocompetent preclinical mouse model of Ewing sarcoma. This model, developed by Professor Nakamura, accurately replicates the biological characteristics, morphology, and gene expression profiles of human Ewing sarcoma, showing significant translational relevance.

Ewing sarcoma is a rare and aggressive pediatric cancer that typically affects bones or soft tissues, representing about 2 to 3 percent of all childhood cancers. Current treatment options are limited, especially for children with recurrent or metastatic disease, where the five-year survival rate is a mere 20 to 30 percent for relapsed patients.

Clinical research conducted at Tel Aviv Medical Center between 2010 and 2021 identified that the presence of neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) in the tumor microenvironment of Ewing sarcoma correlates with poor prognosis. Elevated NETs at diagnosis have been linked to poor responses to neoadjuvant chemotherapy, increased relapse rates, and higher mortality.

Xenetic's recombinant DNase I is designed to degrade NETs in the tumor microenvironment. The preclinical studies aim to determine the efficacy of DNase in reducing NETs and enhancing the effectiveness of chemotherapy when used as an adjuvant treatment.

James Parslow, the Interim Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer of Xenetic, emphasized the importance of partnerships like the one with Tokyo Medical University in their development strategy. Parslow expressed confidence in the commitment to the DNase program and the potential for this agreement to bolster their expanding data.

Xenetic’s DNase-based oncology platform specifically targets NETs, which are web-like structures composed of extracellular chromatin and proteins expelled by activated neutrophils into the tumor microenvironment and bloodstream. These structures promote cancer spread and systemic immunosuppression. By reducing the NETs burden through the application of their proprietary recombinant human DNase I, Xenetic aims to improve the efficacy of various cancer treatments, including immunotherapy, adoptive cell therapy, and chemotherapy, based on positive results from preclinical animal models.

Xenetic Biosciences, Inc. is dedicated to advancing immune-oncology technologies that address difficult-to-treat cancers. Their DNase platform aims to enhance the outcomes of existing treatments by targeting NETs, which play a role in cancer progression. The company is currently focusing on progressing its systemic DNase program into clinical trials as an adjunctive therapy for pancreatic carcinoma and other advanced solid tumors.