LA JOLLA, Calif., April 27, 2026

MediciNova, Inc. has announced a major scientific breakthrough in the treatment of brain metastasis, following the publication of a new peer-reviewed study identifying MIF-mediated immune microenvironment reprogramming as a key therapeutic target. The research, conducted by scientists at the Spanish National Cancer Research Centre (CNIO) and published in Cancer Research, demonstrates that MN-166 (ibudilast) can effectively block the MIF-CD74 signaling pathway, reducing metastatic progression and creating a strong translational opportunity for future clinical development in neuro-oncology.

New Immune Target Identified in Brain Metastasis

The study revealed that tumor-derived macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) reprograms CD74-positive microglia and macrophages in the brain, shifting them from protective immune cells into pro-metastatic drivers that support tumor growth. This discovery highlights a previously underexplored vulnerability in brain metastasis biology and opens a new pathway for therapeutic intervention.

Researchers found that by targeting the MIF-CD74 signaling axis, metastatic progression was significantly reduced across multiple experimental models and patient-derived brain metastasis samples. Importantly, the study also identified secreted MIF as a potential cerebrospinal fluid liquid biopsy biomarker, supporting the development of a biomarker-driven precision medicine approach for patients with advanced solid tumors involving the brain.

MN-166 (Ibudilast) Shows Strong Translational Potential

Advertisement

cGxPJobs Banner

The findings demonstrated that MN-166 (ibudilast), MediciNova’s lead clinical-stage small molecule, successfully blocked MIF-CD74 signaling and reversed pro-metastatic immune changes within the brain microenvironment. In preclinical systems, ibudilast significantly suppressed the growth of brain metastases, while transcriptomic analyses identified predictive biomarker signatures associated with therapeutic response.

These results strengthen the rationale for using MN-166 as a biomarker-guided neuro-oncology therapy, potentially applicable across multiple primary cancers including lung cancer, breast cancer, melanoma, colorectal cancer, pancreatic cancer, and ovarian cancer. This broad applicability significantly expands the commercial and clinical potential of the program beyond traditional oncology segmentation.

Clinical Development Strategy and Future Outlook

Brain metastases affect up to 30% of patients with advanced solid tumors, yet treatment options remain limited due to the historical exclusion of these patients from many oncology clinical trials. MediciNova plans to collaborate with CNIO and lead researcher Dr. Manuel Valiente to advance future clinical research focused on patients with solid tumors that metastasize to the brain. The company also holds granted patents covering MN-166 for preventing and minimizing cancer metastasis across multiple solid tumor types, strengthening its long-term strategic position in oncology development.

With its lead asset already in Phase 3 development for ALS and degenerative cervical myelopathy, MediciNova is now expanding MN-166’s clinical relevance into oncology, creating significant new value for its pipeline. By combining strong scientific validation, biomarker-driven patient stratification, and translational clinical strategy, MediciNova is positioning itself at the forefront of next-generation brain metastasis therapeutics.

As precision oncology continues to shift toward immune microenvironment targeting, MN-166 represents a promising new therapeutic strategy capable of addressing one of cancer’s most urgent unmet needs, offering hope for improved outcomes in patients facing advanced metastatic disease.

Source: MediciNova press release