Imugene presents new data on HER-Vaxx to world gastric cancer conference

Clinical stage immuno-oncology company Imugene (ASX: IMU) has introduced “new and significant data” relating to lead candidate HER-Vaxx to delegates at the World Congress of Gastrointestinal Cancer in Barcelona.

The company presented its abstract at the conference’s basic gastric cancer session, concluding that HER-Vaxx treatment could produce robust anti-HER-2 immunoglobin G and G-1 antibody responses.

Furthermore, drug-induced antibodies had correlated to tumour reduction in patients with HER-2 overexpressing gastric or gastro-esophageal junction cancer.

Compared to chemotherapy alone, the vaccination was reported to have produced a “statistically significant” overall survival benefit.

Managing director Leslie Chong said the data validated the proof-of-concept for a first-in-class B-cell immunotherapy based on HER-2/neu peptides.

Treating tumours

HER-Vaxx is designed to treat tumours which over-express the HER-2/neu receptor such as those related to gastric, breast, ovarian, lung and pancreatic cancers.

The product was developed by scientists at the Medical University of Vienna in Austria as an immunotherapy constructed from several B-cell epitopes.

In pre-clinical and Phase 1 studies, researchers proved that HER-Vaxx stimulates a potent polyclonal antibody response to HER-2/neu, which is a well-known and validated cancer target.

In 2020, Imugene declared that a newly-granted patent titled A Vaccine Composition and Uses Thereof would protect the composition and method of use of HER-Vaxx for the generation of a therapeutic antibody response against HER-2/neu.

World congress

For the past 25 years, the World Congress on Gastrointestinal Cancer has shared some of the most advanced research and innovations impacting the disease.

It brings together leading gastroenterology, oncology, pathology and hepatology experts, clinicians and surgeons, as well as clinical researchers from across the globe to share pioneering research, approaches and best practices in treating patients with cancers of the gastrointestinal tract.