Recent Research led by Chaluvally-Raghavan has Highlighted the Pivotal Role of the Oncostatin M Receptor (OSMR) in Ovarian Cancer

Recent research led by Chaluvally-Raghavan has highlighted the pivotal role of the oncostatin M receptor (OSMR) in ovarian cancer. Their findings reveal that OSMR is highly expressed in ovarian cancer cells and plays a critical role in driving tumor growth, proliferation, and metastasis. To abrogate OSMR actions, the team developed a novel suite of monoclonal antibodies designed to inhibit OSMR signaling, offering a promising new approach to cancer therapy. This innovative work was published in Cancer Research, a journal of the American Association for Cancer Research, in 2021 (PMC8530981).

Using comprehensive transcriptome profiling combined with cellular and molecular assays, the researchers uncovered that OSMR is a key regulator of chemotherapy resistance. The mechanism involves the activation of integrin signaling through the STAT3 transcription factor, enabling cancer cells to resist treatment. These findings were published in npj Precision Oncology, a journal from the Nature Portfolio (PMCID: PMC11153533). The study indicates that anti-OSMR antibodies could significantly improve chemotherapy sensitivity in ovarian cancer patients, particularly those with recurrent disease after prior treatments.

To leverage this discovery for patient care, Chaluvally-Raghavan’s team has secured a patent for their anti-OSMR monoclonal antibodies. This technology has been licensed under an option lease agreement to Sera Medicine, Inc., which is conducting further preclinical testing and toxicity evaluations. The ultimate aim is to develop these antibodies into an investigational new drug (IND) for gynecological cancers and other malignancies where OSMR is overexpressed, providing a novel therapeutic pathway for cancer.