MediciNova’s peer-reviewed ibudilast study advances clinical translation

The company states: “MediciNova (MNOV) and the Standard Market of the Tokyo Stock Exchange announced that a study conducted by researchers at the Spanish National Cancer Research Centre has identified macrophage migration inhibitory factor-mediated reprogramming of CD74-positive microglia and macrophages as a central vulnerability in brain metastasis. The research, recently published in the peer-reviewed journal “Cancer Research” (March 2026), demonstrates pharmacological modulation of this pathway using the brain-penetrant small molecule ibudilast. The work, led by Manuel Valiente PhD, head of CNIO Brain Metastasis group, and colleagues at CNIO, shows that tumor-derived MIF alters the functional state of microglia and infiltrating macrophages in the brain, converting them from a potentially protective role into a pro-metastatic one. In multiple experimental models and fresh patient-derived brain metastasis samples, inhibition of the MIF-CD74 signaling axis significantly reduced metastatic progression. Importantly, the investigators also identified secreted MIF as a candidate liquid biopsy biomarker detectable in cerebrospinal fluid, supporting a translational, biomarker-guided clinical strategy. The study further demonstrates that ibudilast can effectively block MIF-CD74 signaling, reverse pro-metastatic immune reprogramming, and suppress brain metastasis growth in preclinical systems. In addition, transcriptomic analyses define predictive biomarker signatures associated with treatment response, reinforcing the potential for patient stratification in future clinical studies. The findings suggest translational potential for MN-166 (ibudilast), the company’s leading product, in future therapeutic strategies for brain metastasis within neuro-oncology. MediciNova plans to collaborate with Dr. Valiente and CNIO on future clinical research aimed at patients with solid tumors having brain metastases.”