Immunovaccine Highlights Enhanced Anti-Tumor Activity of Cancer Vaccine Combination Therapies in Presentation at the 2014 AAC...
April 07 2014 - 8:05AM
Marketwired
Immunovaccine Highlights Enhanced Anti-Tumor Activity of Cancer
Vaccine Combination Therapies in Presentation at the 2014 AACR
Annual Meeting
Study findings show enhanced therapeutic potential for vaccine
when combined with cyclophosphamide and the checkpoint inhibitor
anti-PD-1
HALIFAX, NOVA SCOTIA--(Marketwired - Apr 7, 2014) -
Immunovaccine Inc. ("Immunovaccine" or "IMV") (TSX-VENTURE:IMV), a
clinical stage vaccine company, presented positive data from
clinical and preclinical vaccine studies, including DPX-Survivac,
the company's lead therapeutic cancer vaccine, this weekend at the
American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) 2014 Annual
Meeting. In a poster presentation, Immunovaccine highlighted
results demonstrating that metronomic cyclophosphamide (mCPA), an
immune modulating agent, enhanced the immunogenicity of
DepoVax™-based vaccines in preclinical cancer models consistent
with previously reported Phase I data showing a similar enhancement
of DPX-Survivac in patients. Importantly, the animal studies
demonstrated the combination therapy's ability to eliminate
advanced tumors that could not be treated with vaccine or mCPA
alone. Tumors exposed to the combination therapy specifically
exhibited an increase in T cell activation markers, suggesting
increased immune-mediated anti-tumor activity at the tumor site
with the vaccine/mCPA therapy and further supporting the use of the
combination therapy in clinical trials.
The addition of anti-PD-1 checkpoint inhibitor to the DepoVax
vaccine/mCPA combination resulted in further enhanced anti-tumor
activity, which allowed the treatment of more advanced tumors. The
effective tumor regressions that were observed could not be
achieved without the use of vaccine or the use of anti-PD-1.
Checkpoint proteins are known to suppress immune activity and
their expression was increased in tumors under immune attack from
the vaccine therapy. Down-regulating suppressive mechanisms at the
tumor level with the use of checkpoint inhibitors allowed the
robust vaccine therapy to cause tumor regressions in animals,
suggesting that the triple combination of vaccine, cyclophosphamide
and anti-PD-1 may be well suited for the treatment of patients with
aggressive tumors who may not otherwise respond to a less
aggressive vaccine therapy.
"These study results represent strong support for
Immunovaccine's belief that combination immunotherapies will be
essential to treat cancer," said Marc Mansour, chief operating
officer of Immunovaccine. "Combining a vaccine with immune
modulators like cyclophosphamide may be most effective in patients
with no evidence of disease and with a high rate of recurrence,
while combining vaccine-based therapies with synergistic checkpoint
inhibitors may be particularly useful for patients with more
aggressive disease."
A second poster presentation related to DPX-Survivac will also
be made during the AACR conference by an Immunovaccine
collaborator, Caprion's ImmuneCarta business unit. This
presentation, which will take place on Wednesday, April 9, will
detail immune response results from Immunovaccine's Phase I study
of DPX-Survivac in ovarian cancer patients. Findings demonstrated
that treatment with DPX-Survivac induced durable target T cell
responses, with these responses more robust when DPX-Survivac was
combined with cyclophosphamide as an immune modulator. These
results are consistent with the preclinical study results presented
at AACR and provide further support for the potential for combining
DPX-Survivac with complementary immune modulators and
immunotherapies.
Immunovaccine expects a large randomized Phase II trial of
DPX-Survivac to be initiated in 2014 in ovarian cancer. The 250
patient trial will be sponsored and conducted by Canada's NCIC
Clinical Trials Group (NCIC CTG). Additionally, researchers at the
University of Rome will be initiating a Phase l/II trial of
DPX-Survivac in glioblastoma (brain cancer) with the first patient
receiving the vaccine in the first half of 2014.
About DepoVax™
DepoVax™ is a patented formulation that provides controlled and
prolonged exposure of antigens plus adjuvant to the immune system,
resulting in a strong, specific and sustained immune response with
the capability for single-dose effectiveness. The DepoVax platform
possesses impressive flexibility, allowing it to work with a broad
range of target antigens in various therapeutic applications. The
technology is also commercially scalable, with potential for years
of stability and ease of use in the clinic.
About DPX-Survivac
DPX-Survivac consists of survivin-based peptide antigens
formulated in the DepoVax™ adjuvanting platform. Survivin has been
recognized by the National Cancer Institute (NCI) as a promising
tumor-associated antigen (TAA) because of its therapeutic potential
and its cancer specificity. Survivin is broadly over-expressed in
solid tumors and blood cancers including ovarian, breast, colon and
lung cancers, among others. Survivin plays an essential role in
antagonizing apoptosis, supporting tumor-associated angiogenesis,
and promoting resistance to various anti-cancer therapies. Survivin
is also a prognostic factor for many cancers and it is found in a
high percentage of cancer patients.
The DPX-Survivac vaccine is thought to work by eliciting a
cytotoxic T-cell immune response against cells presenting survivin
peptides on HLA class I molecules. This targeted therapy attempts
to use the immune system to actively search for tumor cells
expressing survivin and destroy them.
About Immunovaccine
Immunovaccine Inc. develops cancer immunotherapies and
infectious disease vaccines based on the Company's DepoVax™
platform, a patented formulation that provides controlled and
prolonged exposure of antigens and adjuvants to the immune system.
Immunovaccine has advanced two T cell activation therapies for
cancer through Phase I human clinical trials. Lead cancer vaccine
therapy, DPX-Survivac, is expected to enter Phase II clinical
studies in 2014, in ovarian cancer and glioblastoma (brain cancer).
The Company is also advancing an infectious disease pipeline
including innovative vaccines for respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)
and anthrax.
Connect at www.imvaccine.com
This press release contains forward-looking information
under applicable securities law. All information that addresses
activities or developments that we expect to occur in the future,
is forward-looking information. Forward-looking statements are
based on the estimates and opinions of management on the date the
statements are made. However, they should not be regarded as a
representation that any of the plans will be achieved. Actual
results may differ materially from those set forth in this press
release due to risks affecting the company, including access to
capital, the successful completion of clinical trials and receipt
of all regulatory approvals. Immunovaccine Inc. assumes no
responsibility to update forward-looking statements in this press
release except as required by law.
Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services
Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX
Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or
accuracy of this release.
Dr. Marc MansourChief Operating OfficerImmunovaccine Inc.(902)
492-1819mmansour@imvaccine.comTim BronsVida Strategic Partners
(media)(415) 675-7402tbrons@vidasp.com