Surface Oncology announced highlights the publication of a paper describing the biological activity of IL-27, an immunosuppressive cytokine. Previously, IL-27 has been referred to as a key regulator for the expression of checkpoint proteins. Among the findings in the paper, results indicate that the local production of IL-27 at sites of ongoing toxoplasmosis-induced inflammation contributes to expression of PD-L1, LAG-3, CTLA-4, and TIGIT, all key checkpoint proteins in the downregulation of immune responses. IL-27 is understood to play an important role in turning off an immune response following viral and parasitic infections. Beyond the role of IL-27 in restoring immunostasis, Surface Oncology believes it has identified several cancers where IL-27 may prevent the immune system from recognizing and killing cancer cells. Surface Oncology is currently conducting IND-enabling studies for its IL-27 antibody, SRF388. IND submission for SRF388 is projected for fourth quarter 2019. SRF388 is believed to be the only IL-27 antibody in late-preclinical development.