BSBP Honours Internship at Alethia Biotherapeutics – Vincent Méthot

Alethia Biotherapeutics is developing sotevtamab, a recombinant antibody targeting clusterin, a protein often elevated in advanced solid tumors. Sotevtamab works by inhibiting epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT), which contributes to cancer spread, chemotherapy resistance, and immune evasion. The drug is being tested for various cancers, including lung and colorectal cancer, with the aim of enhancing chemotherapy efficacy and improving immune responses against tumors. Early animal studies demonstrated sotevtamab’s ability to reduce tumor spread, enhance chemotherapy effectiveness, and stimulate anti-tumor immune responses. These promising results led to human trials in patients with advanced, treatment-resistant cancers. A recent Phase II study combining sotevtamab with docetaxel in advanced lung cancer patients showed improved responses and survival. Another ongoing Phase II trial is evaluating sotevtamab with FOLFOX in colorectal cancer patients with liver metastases. An intriguing finding associated with sotevtamab treatment is the formation of tertiary lymphoid structures (TLS) in both animal models and patient samples. These immune structures, rarely observed with current treatments, are linked to better patient outcomes. The project aims to investigate how sotevtamab induces TLS development in tumors, as these structures play a key role in enhancing immune responses against cancer.

Faculty Supervisor:

Suzanne Giasson

Student:

Partner:

Alethia Biotherapeutics Inc

Discipline:

Life Sciences

Sector:

Professional, scientific and technical services

University:

Université de Montréal

Program: