PRINCETON, N.J., Dec. 07, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Advaxis, Inc. (NASDAQ:ADXS), a clinical stage biotechnology company developing cancer immunotherapies, today announced that preclinical data on the potential use of detoxified Listeriolysin O (dtLLO) as an effective adjuvant for the development of infectious disease vaccines will be presented at the 11th annual ImVacS-Immunization and Vaccine Summit in Boston on Dec. 9.
Dr. Hector Vivanco Cid, of the Institute of Medical Biological Research at the University of Veracruz in Mexico, is presenting data that supports the use of dtLLO as a potential immunologic adjuvant or carrier for vaccinations. dtLLO successfully induced high levels of specific igG antibodies against a selected Dengue virus protein in a preclinical model, in addition to demonstrating safety in vivo, highlighting its potential as an adjuvant in vaccines for infectious disease.
“Adjuvant molecules that can increase the immunogenicity of antigens and modulate an enhanced immune response are essential components in human vaccine formulations,” said Dr. Vivanco Cid. “With so few licensed adjuvants for clinical use, characterization of new molecules is a high priority in the vaccination field. These preclinical data show that dtLLO is a safe and effective adjuvant molecule in vivo with the potential to stimulate a robust immune response required for prophylactic infectious disease vaccines.”
Detoxified Listeriolysin O, or dtLLO, is Advaxis’ proprietary, nonhemolytic LLO developed by modifying the Listeria monocytogenes bacteria. In previous preclinical studies, dtLLO demonstrated potential efficacy as an adjuvant in tumor immunotherapy. dtLLO is an Advaxis technology with worldwide rights owned by the Company through a licensing agreement with the University of Pennsylvania.
“These new preclinical data give us a better understanding of the immuno-stimulatory properties of dtLLO and how they can become an important component of vaccines for infectious diseases. The dtLLO adjuvant supported the generation of robust specific and diversified antibody responses, which is an important step in enhancing our infectious disease strategy and plan,” said Robert Petit, PhD, chief scientific officer of Advaxis.
The data from these preclinical studies using dtLLO adjuvant in vaccine preparations targeting Dengue virus serotype 4 E protein, was published in the journal Clinical and Experimental Immunology. Advaxis intends to continue exploring the potential of dtLLO as an adjuvant molecule in the development of vaccines for infectious diseases.
About Advaxis, Inc.
Located in Princeton, N.J., Advaxis, Inc. is a clinical-stage biotechnology company developing multiple cancer immunotherapies based on its proprietary Lm Technology™. The Lm Technology, using bioengineered live attenuated Listeria monocytogenes (Lm) bacteria, is the only known cancer immunotherapy agent shown in preclinical studies to both generate cancer fighting T cells directed against cancer antigens and neutralize Tregs and myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) that protect the tumor microenvironment from immunologic attack and contribute to tumor growth. Advaxis’ lead Lm Technology immunotherapy, axalimogene filolisbac, targets HPV-associated cancers and is in clinical trials for three potential indications: Phase 3 in invasive cervical cancer, Phase 2 in head and neck cancer, and Phase 2 in anal cancer. The FDA has granted axalimogene filolisbac orphan drug designation for each of these three clinical settings, as well as Fast Track designation for adjuvant therapy for HRLACC patients and a Special Protocol Assessment for the Phase 3 AIM2CERV trial in HRLACC patients. Axalimogene filolisbac has also been classified as an advanced therapy medicinal product for the treatment of cervical cancer by the European Medicines Agency’s Committee for Advanced Therapies. Advaxis has two additional immunotherapy products: ADXS-PSA in prostate cancer and ADXS-HER2 in HER2 expressing solid tumors, in human clinical development. In addition, Advaxis and Amgen are developing ADXS-NEO, a preclinical investigational cancer immunotherapy treatment designed to activate a patient’s immune system to respond against the unique mutations, or neoepitopes, contained in and identified from each individual patient’s tumor, with plans to enter the clinic in 2017.
For additional information on Advaxis, visit www.advaxis.com and connect on Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook, YouTube and Google+.
Advaxis Forward-Looking Statement
This press release contains forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to: statements regarding the completion and timing of the offering of shares. These forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks, including the risk factors set forth from time to time in Advaxis’ SEC filings, including but not limited to its report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2015, which is available at http://www.sec.gov, as well as the risks identified or incorporated by reference in the registration statement and the prospectus supplement relating to the offering. Advaxis undertakes no obligation to publicly release the result of any revision to these forward-looking statements, which may be made to reflect the events or circumstances after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events, except as required by law. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements.
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