Can a Simple Cream Help the Immune System Fight Cancer?

Researchers Study DYV800 at Moffitt

Researchers at Moffitt Cancer Center are studying a new topical therapy called DYV800 that may help the immune system fight cancer by changing the environment around tumors.

The treatment, developed by Dyve Biosciences, is designed to target tumor acidity — a condition researchers say can weaken the body’s immune response against cancer. Early findings in bladder cancer models showed the cream helped improve immune activity, slow tumor growth and improve survival.

“This could span multiple solid tumor types,” Dr. Shari Pilon-Thomas of Moffitt Cancer Center said in an interview with CURE.

Why Tumor Acidity Matters

As tumors grow, they create an acidic environment around themselves. According to Pilon-Thomas, that acidity can prevent immune cells from functioning properly.

“When these immune cells get into the tumor, they meet this acidic microenvironment, and all of their effector functions are shut off,” she explained.

This may help explain why some cancers stop responding to immunotherapy over time. Even when immune cells are present, the tumor environment can make them less effective.

How DYV800 Works

DYV800 is a topical cream containing sodium bicarbonate, a buffering agent that helps neutralize acid.

“So sodium bicarbonate is a buffer that's able to neutralize acidity,” Pilon-Thomas said. “It basically raises the pH of an acidic microenvironment.”

Researchers say the cream allows bicarbonate to build up near tumors, where it may help raise the tumor’s pH level without affecting the rest of the body.

“The bicarbonate in the cream actually pools kind of in the tumor site,” Pilon-Thomas explained.

By reducing acidity, researchers hope immune cells can once again recognize and attack cancer cells more effectively.

Early Results Show Promise

In preclinical bladder cancer models, researchers found that applying DYV800 helped increase the tumor’s pH and improved immune responses within tumors.

Researchers also observed that more tumor-fighting immune cells were able to enter the tumors and remain active after treatment.

“So by applying this transdermal cream of bicarbonate, we're able to reverse that acidic microenvironment and improve tumor immune responses,” Pilon-Thomas said.

The therapy may eventually work alongside existing immunotherapy treatments.

“Combining that with another immunotherapy could amplify the effect,” she added.

What Happens Next?

Researchers expect DYV800 to move into first-in-human studies this year.

According to Pilon-Thomas, previous research involving the cream in patients with gout suggests the treatment has already shown encouraging signs of safety.

In animal studies, researchers mainly observed dry skin after repeated use of the cream.

“I think it's ready to move forward in patients with cancer,” Pilon-Thomas said.

References

1. “Dyve Biosciences and Moffitt Cancer Center Report Promising Study Results for First-of-Its-Kind Topical Therapy Targeting Tumor Acidity,” Business Wire.