TLR7, TLR8 and Dual TLR7/8 Agonists in Oncology and Infectious Diseases

Using its chemistry-based drug discovery platform, Idera has created RNA-based compounds that act as agonists of TLR7, TLR8 and dual TLR7/8. Idera is evaluating the potential use of these compounds in the treatment of cancer and infectious diseases.

TLR7 is present in B cells and plasmacytoid dendritic cells of the human immune system, whereas TLR8 is expressed in monocytes and myeloid dendritic cells.  Both TLR7 and TLR8 recognize patterns of single-stranded RNA that are characteristic of certain viruses, as well as certain synthetic compounds. The immune response induced by stimulation of TLR7 or TLR8 is distinct, due in part to the difference in cellular distribution.