USE OF CONJUGATES COMPRISING TUMOUR-SELECTIVE LIGANDS AND GROUPS CAPABLE OF RELEASING CARBON MONOXIDE (CO), FOR EXERTING IMMUNOMODULATORY EFFECTS IN CANCER TREATMENT

摘要

The present invention in various aspects and embodiments involves the use of CO releasing molecules, such as conjugates comprising tumour-selective ligands and groups capable of releasing carbon monoxide (CO), for exerting immunomodulatory effects in cancer treatment, such as reductions in the expression of immune checkpoint molecules and the level of inhibitory macrophages. This can reduce immunosuppression in tumour tissue and can be useful, for example, in the treatment of immunosuppressive cancers or the treatment of cancers in combination with cancer immunotherapy.