Identifying novel drug targets using widespread genetic
testing and health data
Target Identification for Immuno-oncology
23andMe Therapeutics analyzed its genetic and health survey database to identify an immuno-oncology genetic "signature," which defines areas of the genome that have opposing associations with cancer and autoimmune disease.
Using this analysis, 23andMe Therapeutics identified pathways or proteins that may be targeted by new medicines, including the immune checkpoint receptor CD200R1 and the associated proteins CD200 and DOK2.
23andMe Therapeutics' immuno-oncology genetic signature identified the CD200R1-CD200 pathway
One of the immuno-oncology targets identified by genomic and phenotypic analysis is an immune-cell protein known as CD200R1. This protein is predominantly expressed on the surface of human immune cells, including cancer fighting T cells.
CD200R1 has only 1 known binding partner in humans—a regulatory protein called CD200. Tumor cells expressing CD200 use it to turn off the T-cell activity by binding to CD200R1. This protects the tumor from the immune system.
A treatment that blocks the ability of CD200 to bind to CD200R1 may activate T cells and restore their ability to kill cancer cells.
Both CD200R1 and CD200, as well as another protein in the same signaling pathway, were identified using the 23andMe Therapeutics immuno-oncology genetic signature.
How CD200 and CD200R1 Mediate an Immunosuppressive Tumor Microenvironment‡ Footnote
The potential of 23ME-00610
Our drug discovery approach helps us develop potential cancer treatments using real-world genetic data.
Developed in-house by 23andMe Therapeutics scientists
Treatments validated by genetic data are 2 to 3 times more likely to become approved drugs.† Footnote
Informed by data from millions of people
About 80% of our millions of customers consent to participate in research, allowing us to obtain insights into how genetics impact disease.
dagger Nelson, M.R., et al., The support of human genetic evidence for approved drug indications. Nat Genet, 2015. 47(8): p. 856-60; Ochoa, D., et al., Human genetics evidence supports two-thirds of the 2021 FDA-approved drugs. Nat Rev Drug Discov, 2022. 21(8): p. 551.
double dagger 1. Mihrshahi, R., A.N. Barclay, and M.H. Brown, Essential roles for Dok2 and RasGAP in CD200 receptor-mediated regulation of human myeloid cells. J Immunol, 2009. 183(8): p. 4879-86.
2. Misstear, K., et al., Suppression of antigen-specific T cell responses by the Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus viral OX2 protein and its cellular orthologue, CD200. J Virol, 2012. 86(11): p. 6246-57.
3. van der Vlist, M., et al., Signaling by the inhibitory receptor CD200R is rewired by type I interferon. Sci Signal, 2021. 14(704): p. eabb4324.
4. Zhang, S., et al., Molecular mechanisms of CD200 inhibition of mast cell activation. J Immunol, 2004. 173(11): p. 6786-93.
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