Definition

A toll-like receptor (TLR) agonist with potential immunomodulating and antineoplastic activities. Upon inhalation, TLR agonist BSG-001 activates one or more not yet disclosed TLRs, which may result in macrophage and plasmacytoid dendritic cell (pDC) stimulation, secretion of interferon alpha (IFNa), production of proinflammatory cytokines, upregulation of co-stimulatory molecules, enhanced T- and B-cell stimulatory responses, T-cell proliferation and a T-helper 1 (Th1) immune response. TLRs are transmembrane receptors that recognize structurally conserved microbial molecules such as bacterial cell-surface lipopolysaccharides (LPS), lipoproteins, lipopeptides, lipoarabinomannan and flagellin, among others. Immune responses stimulated by TLR activation may result in immune-mediated tumor cell killing.