Definition

A monoclonal antibody directed against growth/differentiation factor 15 (GDF-15; macrophage inhibitory cytokine-1; MIC-1; non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug-inducible gene-1; NAG-1; placental transforming growth factor-beta; pTGFB; prostate-derived factor; PDF; placental bone morphogenetic protein; PLAB), with potential antineoplastic activity. Upon administration, anti-GDF-15 monoclonal antibody AZD8853 specifically targets, binds to and inhibits the activity of GDF-15, thereby preventing the GDF-15-mediated inhibition of differentiation and activation of human monocyte-derived dendritic cells (DCs) and T-cells. This may restore immune cell infiltration into the tumor, leading to increases in T cells and activated DCs in the tumor microenvironment (TME). This enhances tumor cell killing and inhibits tumor cell proliferation. GDF-15, a divergent member of the transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) superfamily of cytokines, is upregulated in tissue injuries and is secreted by various tumors. Upregulation of GDF-15 is associated with immunosuppression in the TME, drug resistance and poor prognosis.