Definition

A humanized immunoglobulin G1 (IgG1) monoclonal antibody directed against human 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 anti-cachexic activity. Upon administration, anti-GDF15 monoclonal antibody AV-380 specifically targets, binds to and inhibits the activity of GDF-15, a pro-inflammatory cytokine involved in cancer-induced cachexia. This may prevent or slow the effects of cachexia. GDF-15, a divergent member of the transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) superfamily of cytokines, is upregulated in cancer-associated cachexia and immunosuppression in the tumor microenvironment (TME). It is associated with poor prognosis.