Magnified IL-2 affinity towards CD122
potently synergizes with checkpoint inhibitors
TORONTO, Feb. 6, 2019 /CNW/ - Medicenna Therapeutics
Corp. ("Medicenna" or "the Company") (TSX:
MDNA, OTCQB: MDNAF), a clinical stage immunotherapy company
developing first-in-class Superkines and Empowered
Cytokines, today announced that new pre-clinical data on its
IL-2 Superkine program, MDNA109, will be presented today
demonstrating lack of immunogenicity while achieving potent
anti-tumor activity particularly when combined with anti-PD1 and
anti-CTLA-4 checkpoint inhibitors.
The new results on MDNA109 and its long acting variants will be
delivered in a podium presentation today titled, "Putting Pedal to
the Metal: Combining IL-2 Superkine (MDNA109) with Checkpoint
Inhibitors" by Moutih Rafei, PhD, Associate Professor, Department
of Pharmacology and Physiology, Université de Montreal at the 5th Annual
Immuno-Oncology 360o Meeting in New York, NY.
"We are continuing to make good progress in selecting a lead
clinical candidate based on MDNA109, the only engineered IL-2
Superkine designed to specifically target CD122 (IL-2Rβ) without
CD25 dependency", said Moutih Rafei PhD, Head of Discovery at
Medicenna. "Our rationally engineered long acting MDNA109
candidates potently and selectively stimulate cancer killing
effector T cells with exceptional synergy when combined with either
anti PD-1 or anti-CTLA-4 checkpoint inhibitors. Competing IL-2
therapies in development with reduced CD25 binding require much
higher doses for activating effector T cells to achieve a
therapeutic effect. In contrast, MDNA109 in vitro
activates effector T cells at about 10-fold lower doses due to a
1000-fold increase in affinity for the CD122 receptor."
The presentation will highlight the following:
- MDNA109 is an engineered IL-2 superkine exhibiting 1000-fold
enhanced affinity toward the CD122 receptor and best in class
potency toward cancer killing effector T cells
- When tested in vivo, MDNA109 was not immunogenic and led
to potent delay in the growth of pre-established B16F10 tumors
compared to IL-2.
- Likewise, significant delay in the growth of pre-established
MC38 and CT-26 colon cancer was observed in syngeneic mice
receiving MDNA109, whereas its co-administration with anti-PD1
checkpoint inhibitor eliminated tumors in 90% of MC38 tumor-bearing
mice.
- Furthermore, MDNA109 in combination with anti-CTLA-4 antibody,
complete responses were observed in a majority of mice in the CT26
model. When cured animals were re-challenged on the counter-lateral
flank with CT26 tumor cells, tumor growth was blocked at the
secondary site clearly suggesting the generation of potent memory
responses.
- Additional results on long-acting MDNA109 variants with
impaired CD25 binding demonstrated abrogation of regulatory T cell
activation at therapeutic doses in order to mitigate peripheral
side effects, which are dependent on CD25
binding.
"Our IL-2, IL-4 and IL-13 Superkines and first in class
Empowered Cytokines stimulate tumor-killing immune cells or block
the immunosuppressive tumor micro-environment while synergizing
with other cancer immunotherapy platforms for potent, targeted
treatment", said Fahar Merchant,
PhD, President and CEO of Medicenna. "We are excited with the
results to date for MDNA109 and look forward to report further
advances in the development of our first of many superkines."
About MDNA109
Developed by scientists at Stanford
University, MDNA109 is an engineered version of IL-2 that binds up
to 1,000 times more effectively to IL-2Rβ (CD122), thus greatly
increasing its ability to activate and proliferate the immune cells
needed to fight cancer. MDNA109 is an IL-2 Superkine that
preferentially drives the expansion and responses of effector T
cells and Natural Killer (NK) cells over Treg cells. It is the only
IL-2 in development with a distinct mechanism by virtue of its high
affinity towards CD122 allowing it to effectively combat NK cell
anergy (exhaustion) which occurs frequently after cancer
immunotherapy.
About Medicenna Therapeutics Corp.
Medicenna is a clinical stage immunotherapy company developing
novel highly selective versions of IL-2, IL-4 and IL-13 Superkines
and first in class Empowered Cytokines™ (ECs). Our mission is to
become the leader in the development and commercialization of ECs
and Superkines for the treatment of a broad range of cancers and
immune-mediated diseases. MDNA55 is Medicenna's lead EC currently
enrolling in a multi-centre Phase 2 clinical trial for the
treatment of recurrent glioblastoma (rGBM), the most common and
uniformly fatal form of brain cancer. MDNA55 has secured Orphan
Drug Status from the United States Food and Drug Administration
(FDA) and the European Medicines Agency as well as Fast Track
Designation from the FDA for the treatment of rGBM. For more
information, please visit www.medicenna.com.
This news release contains forward-looking statements
relating to the future operations of the Company and other
statements that are not historical facts. Forward-looking
statements are often identified by terms such as "will", "may",
"should", "anticipate", "expects" and similar expressions. All
statements other than statements of historical fact, included in
this release, including, without limitation, statements that we are
making good progress selecting a lead candidate designed to
specifically target CD122 without CD25 dependency, that we will be
able to make further advances in the development of our first of
many superkines that our pre-clinical results
are positive, that MDNA109 is the only IL-2 candidate in
development that selectively targets CD122 without CD25 dependency
and statements related to the future plans and objectives of the
Company, are forward-looking statements that involve risks and
uncertainties. There can be no assurance that such statements will
prove to be accurate and actual results and future events could
differ materially from those anticipated in such statements.
Important factors that could cause actual results to differ
materially from the Company's expectations include the risks
detailed in the annual information form of the Company dated
June 26, 2018 and in other filings
made by the Company with the applicable securities regulators from
time to time.
The reader is cautioned that assumptions used in the
preparation of any forward-looking information may prove to be
incorrect. Events or circumstances may cause actual results to
differ materially from those predicted, as a result of numerous
known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors, many of
which are beyond the control of the Company. The reader is
cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking
information. Such information, although considered reasonable by
management at the time of preparation, may prove to be incorrect
and actual results may differ materially from those anticipated.
Forward-looking statements contained in this news release are
expressly qualified by this cautionary statement. The
forward-looking statements contained in this news release are made
as of the date of this news release and the Company will update or
revise publicly any of the included forward-looking statements only
as expressly required by Canadian securities law.
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SOURCE Medicenna Therapeutics Corp.