NeoImmuneTech announces new insights into IL-7’s anti-tumor mechanism from Cancer-Immunity Cycle Cell Symposia

Presentation at a Cell Press-hosted global symposium IL-7 (NT-I7) enhances anti-tumor CD8 T cell responses Tpex-to-effector differentiation as a novel mechanism November 06, 2025 — ROCKVILLE, MD : NeoImmuneTech, Inc. , a global leader in T cell-based immunotherapy, announces new insights into the mechanism by which NT-I7 (efineptakin alfa), NeoImmuneTech’s long-acting human IL-7, enhances anti-tumor immunity. The findings, which were presented at the prestigious Cancer–Immunity Cycle Cell Symposia, a global life sciences conference hosted by scientific publisher Cell Press, showed that IL-7 (NT-I7) enhances anti-tumor CD8 T cell responses. In a collaborative study with NeoImmuneTech and Dr. Matthew H. Spitzer’s laboratory at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), researchers demonstrated that NT-I7 improved the CD8 T cell response in two ways: 1. By preferential expansion of Tpex (precursor exhausted T cells), which are the “seed” cells critical for sustaining long-term immune responses and 2. By skewing differentiation of these Tpex into highly functional and cytotoxic Tex-eff (effector-like CD8 T cells), which are the “worker” cells that directly attack the cancer. This mechanism suggests a novel immunotherapeutic strategy that may overcome the limitations of current immune checkpoint inhibitors. Dr. Dong Hoon Choi, Chief Scientific Officer of NeoImmuneTech, commented, “Until now, the impact of IL-7 on T cell exhaustion was not well understood. This study reveals that NT-I7 not only expands Tpex cells but also promotes their differentiation into Tex-eff cells capable of attacking tumors. We are confident in the scientific foundation of NT-I7 and remain committed to advancing its development.” Dr. Spitzer’s team delivered a lightning talk and presented a poster titled, “Harnessing the IL-7 pathway to drive effector-like CD8 T cell responses in cancer.” The lightning talk session, a hallmark of the Cell Symposia series, featured a small number of abstracts selected by the organizing committee for brief oral presentations. These sessions are attended by leading academic researchers, biotech R&D leaders, and pharmaceutical executives, offering presenters a rare opportunity to showcase their work to a highly specialized global audience. Such presentations often lead to immediate discussions on collaboration, data sharing, and potential licensing opportunities. The symposium was further elevated by the participation of leading global scholars, including Dr. Ira Mellman, one of the foremost authorities in the field of cancer immunotherapy. *** ENDS ***

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