Heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) is an enzyme that protects tumours from immune attack and contributes to resistance against chemotherapy. We are developing small-molecule HO-1 inhibitors as a new class of cancer immunotherapy. Our preclinical studies show that these inhibitors can be combined with multiple chemotherapies to enhance anti-tumour responses, even in treatment-resistant cancers.
A recent publication in Science Translational Medicine has validated this approach, demonstrating the potential of HO-1 inhibition as a broadly applicable therapeutic strategy. Current efforts focus on designing inhibitors capable of crossing the blood–brain barrier, with the goal of treating aggressive and resistant brain tumours. This work is a collaboration with Professor James Arnold at the Comprehensive Cancer Centre, King’s College London, and is supported by the Medical Research Council.
By targeting a stress-response pathway that helps tumours evade therapy, our project aims to deliver a new generation of immunotherapy agents that are effective, versatile, and suitable for combination with existing cancer treatments.