Imugene doses first patient in onCARlytics trial targeting cancer with novel approach

Clinical stage immuno-oncology company Imugene (ASX: IMU) has dosed the first patient in the intravenous monotherapy arm of its Phase 1 clinical trial of CD19 oncolytic virotherapy drug candidate onCARlytics.

Known as OASIS, the first-in-class clinical trial is targeting adult patients in the US with advanced or metastatic solid tumours.

It aims to evaluate the safety and efficacy of two routes of administration — intratumoural injection and intravenous (IV) infusion — either alone or in combination with blinatumomab.

The first IV patient was dosed in October at City of Hope cancer treatment centre in California.

Additional sites are expected to open for recruitment across the US with 52 patients proposed to take part in the trial.

Combination arm

The combination arm of the study will include onCARlytics paired with CD19 to target the bi-specific monoclonal antibody blinatumomab, which is marketed as Blincyto by US biopharmaceutical company Amgen.

onCARlytics is a CD19-expressing oncolytic virus that enters tumour cells and forces them to express the CD19 protein on the cell surface, presenting a target for CD19 targeting therapies.

The candidate is believed to have the potential to target and eradicate solid tumours that cannot be treated with Blincyto therapy alone.

Positive development

Imugene managing director Leslie Chong said intravenous dosage was a positive development for patients.

“We’re pleased to see onCARlytics continue to advance in the clinic after the first patient was dosed in late October.”

“This move into IV administration marks another milestone in our mission to bring innovative cancer treatments to patients in need.”

“With the combination arm of the study still to come, we eagerly await the chance to see more on the potential onCARlytics holds.”