Imugene presents abstract on ‘impressive’ pre-clinical liver cancer treatment response
Imugene’s abstract was based on pre-clinical research using its onCARlytics technology in combination with Eureka Therapeutics’ Artemis’ T cell platform in a human xenograft HepG2 model.
Imugene (ASX: IMU) has unveiled “impressive” pre-clinical in vivo anti-tumour responses using its onCARlytics technology in combination with Eureka Therapeutics’ Artemis’ T cell platform on models with liver cancer.
The company presented an abstract titled ‘Effective combination immunotherapy using onCARlytics and Artemis CD19 T cells against hepatocellular carcinoma’ at the American Society of Gene and Cell Therapy’s Annual Meeting in the United States.
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most frequent type of liver cancer and the sixth most common cancer worldwide.
The abstract was based on pre-clinical research using the combination therapy in a human xenograft HepG2 model.
This combination therapy involved harnessing the capability of oncolytic viruses (OV) and developing a chimeric vaccinia-based OV called CF330CD19t (onCARlytics) to use CD19-specific T cells to target solid tumours.
“In order to target CD19t expressed on the surface of solid tumour cells, we combined onCARlytics with CD19 Artemis T cells, a CD19-targeting adoptively engineered T cell powered by the Artemis antibody-T cell receptor (AbTCR) platform,” the report stated.
It noted the combination therapy “demonstrated impressive in vivo anti-tumour responses” in the HepG2 model.
By using this strategy, Imugene anticipates the combination therapy can be broadened to target an “array of solid cancers”.
The full presentation on the results will be given later in May at the 26th American Society of Gene and Cell Therapy’s Annual Meeting.
Well-funded to progress immune-oncology therapies
Late last month, Imugene revealed it had secured a $12.6 million research and development tax refund from the Australian Government, which will assist with funding progression of its immune-oncology therapies.
The company’s portfolio comprises oncolytic virotherapies (VAXINIA or CF33), multiple B-cell vaccine candidates, and emerging technologies, including onCARlytics (CF33-CD19) in combination with CAR-Ts, or bispecifc antibody targeting CD19 for solid tumours.
These immunotherapies are designed to harness a patient’s immune system to help it fight cancer and can be used as a monotherapy or in combination with other treatments.