Clever-1: A Key Player in Cancer Immunosuppression

Strategic Insights -

Researchers at the University of Turku, Finland, have shed light on the role of Clever-1 in cancer immunosuppression. A recent study published in Theranostics found that Clever-1, a multifunctional scavenger receptor, promotes immunosuppressive activity in macrophages, contributing to tumor immune evasion. The study also identified secreted Clever-1 (sClever-1) as a novel immunosuppressive mediator that operates independently of cellular Clever-1 expression.

Key Takeaways:

  • Clever-1 is a multifunctional scavenger receptor that promotes immunosuppressive activity in macrophages, contributing to tumor immune evasion.
  • Secreted Clever-1 (sClever-1) is a novel immunosuppressive mediator that operates independently of cellular Clever-1 expression.
  • sClever-1 is significantly enriched in the plasma of cancer patients and reduced following bexmarilimab treatment.
  • sClever-1 induces T cell tolerance and reduces anti-PD-1 efficacy by binding to activated CD4 and CD8 T cells and increasing TGFb secretion.
  • sClever-1 can serve as both a therapeutic target and biomarker to guide immunotherapy strategies.

Statistics:

  • 139 breast cancer patients were analyzed in the study.
  • 193 bexmarilimab-treated clinical trial participants were analyzed in the study.
  • sClever-1 was significantly enriched in the plasma of cancer patients (p-value < 0.01).
  • sClever-1 reduced following bexmarilimab treatment (p-value < 0.05).
  • 100% of tumor explants showed increased TGFb secretion after sClever-1 binding.

Sources:

  • "Secreted Clever-1 modulates T cell responses and impacts cancer immunotherapy efficacy". Theranostics, 2025;15(15):7501-7527. Ivyspring Int Publ, PO Box 4546, Lake Haven, Nsw 2263, Australia.
  • "Researchers at University of Turku Target Cancer". Immunotherapy Weekly. August 20, 2025; p 2459.