dSLIM® Immunomodulators

 

dSLIM (double Stem Loop Immunomodulator) is a novel TLR9 agonist developed by MOLOGEN. The action of the dSLIM molecules is mediated through the binding to toll-like receptor 9 (TLR9), which occurs in and on specific immune cells in humans and animals. Toll like receptors are components of the innate defense system. They recognize the DNA patterns of invasive pathogens which are not part of the cell's own DNA. This can be both intracellular pathogens, such as viruses, and extracellular pathogens like fungi. Due to their special structure, the dSLIM molecules simulate the invasion of pathogens, and thus ensure a broad activation of the immune system - but without triggering an illness. This gives the immune system the chance to act on its own account against the cancer cells.

 

Thanks to the universal mechanism of action of the dSLIM molecules, their application is possible not only against a vast number of cancer types, but also against several other diseases with yet high unmet needs. The utilization of dSLIM in cancer therapy has already been examined in numerous experiments, and indicates distinct anti-tumor effects. The extensive preclinical studies have been successfully concluded and provided promising results concerning efficacy and compatibility of this modern immunotherapy. On the grounds of these results, the dSLIM-based cancer medicine MGN1703 is currently being examined in a phase I clinical study.

 

Compared to MIDGE vectors, dSLIM molecules are considerably smaller and consist only of non-coding DNA. The DNA is not chemically modified. The structure of the dSLIM molecules is shaped like a dumbbell and consists of two single-stranded loops that are connected by a double-stranded stem.

 

 

MOLOGEN®, MIDGE® and dSLIM® are registered trademarks of MOLOGEN AG