Imugene Limited (ASX:IMU), a clinical stage immuno-oncology company, today announced Dr Tanios Bekaii-Saab from the Mayo Clinic presented new data on the KEY-Vaxx and B-Vaxx cancer vaccine programs at the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) 2019 Annual Meeting.
SYDNEY, Australia – 2 April 2019 – Imugene Limited (ASX:IMU), a clinical stage immuno-oncology company, today announced Dr Tanios Bekaii-Saab from the Mayo Clinic presented new data on the KEY-Vaxx and B-Vaxx cancer vaccine programs at the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) 2019 Annual Meeting.
The highlight and key finding of the KEY-Vaxx presentation was the demonstration that Imugene’s PD-1 KEY-Vaxx vaccine, when combined with B-Vaxx, is more effective in reducing tumor growth in a validated mouse model of colon carcinoma than KEY-Vaxx alone or, more importantly, the positive control gold standard anti-mouse PD-1 monoclonal antibody. The vaccine combination was found to be safe and did not appear to exhibit toxicity or autoimmunity. Imugene is working to evaluate KEY-Vaxx and its potential efficacy in a range of cancers.
Imugene’s KEY-Vaxx is a B-cell peptide cancer vaccine designed to treat tumors, such as lung cancer, by interfering with PD-1/PD-L1 binding and interaction. This produces an anti-cancer effect similar to those caused by Keytruda®, Opdivo® and the other immune checkpoint inhibitor monoclonal antibodies that are transforming treatment of a range of cancers.
The abstract presentations are entitled ‘Development of a novel PD-1 vaccine and in combination with two Chimeric HER-2 peptide vaccine provides synergistic inhibition of tumor growth in a syngeneic Balb/c model challenged with CT26/HER-2 carcinoma cell line’ and ‘A Phase I Active Immunotherapy Trial With a Combination of Two Chimeric (Trastuzumab-like and Pertuzumab-like) Human Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor 2 (HER-2) B Cell Peptide Vaccine Emulsified in ISA 720 and Nor-MDP Adjuvant in Patients With Advanced Solid Tumors.’
The abstracts were authored by Dr Saab from the Mayo Clinic Cancer Center in Phoenix, AZ and researchers, including Prof. Kaumaya at the Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA and Emory University, Atlanta, GA.
The Phase I B-Vaxx trial studied the side effects and best dose of vaccine therapy in treating patients with metastatic solid tumors. Vaccines made from antibodies and peptides may help the body build an effective immune response to kill tumor cells.
The open-label, dose escalation study evaluated B-Vaxx in patients with solid tumors that over-express the HER-2/neu receptor. B-Vaxx has been shown to stimulate a potent polyclonal antibody response to HER-2/nue, a well established and validated cancer target.
B-Vaxx is a proprietary B-cell peptide cancer vaccine being developed by Imugene and targeting multiple oncology indications. A Phase 2 study evaluating the activity of B-Vaxx in patients over expressing HER-2/nue is being conducted at renowned clinical institutions in the US.
The content of the poster presentations are available on the Imugene website:www.imugene.com/publications
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Notes To Editors
About Imugene (ASX:IMU)
Imugene is a clinical stage immuno-oncology company developing a range of new and novel immunotherapies that seek to activate the immune system of cancer patients to treat and eradicate tumors. Our unique platform technology seeks to harness the body’s immune system to generate antibodies against tumours, potentially achieving a similar or greater effect than synthetically manufactured monoclonal antibody therapies. Our product pipeline includes multiple immunotherapy B-cell vaccine candidates aimed at treating a variety of cancers in combination with standard of care drugs and emerging immunotherapies. We are supported by a leading team of international cancer experts with extensive experience in developing new cancer therapies with many approved for sale and marketing for global markets.
Our vision is to help transform and improve the treatment of cancer and the lives of the millions of patients who need effective treatments. This vision is backed by a growing body of clinical evidence and peer-reviewed research. Imugene is well funded and resourced, to deliver on its commercial and clinical milestones. Together with leading specialists and medical professionals, we believe Imugene’s immuno-oncology therapies will become a foundation treatment for cancer. Our goal is to ensure that Imugene and its shareholders are at the forefront of this rapidly growing global market.
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