Defence Therapeutics Inc. has unveiled the exceptional efficacy of its second-generation ARMTM anti-cancer vaccine.
The anti-cancer vaccine, dubbed ARM-002TM, has demonstrated proficiency in combating pre-established melanoma when used in conjunction with the anti-PD-1 immune-checkpoint inhibitor.
Revolutionary vaccine platform
Defence’s innovative approach revolves around reprogrammed mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs), presenting a cutting-edge vaccination platform renowned for its simplicity in manufacturing and therapeutic potency.
Leveraging the proprietary AccuTOX® technology, Defence harnesses the power of protein aggregation induction in reprogrammed MSCs, activating the unfolded protein response—a crucial cellular defence mechanism to eliminate harmful protein aggregates.
Enhanced potency and versatility
The original ARMTM vaccine showcased considerable efficacy against melanoma, but the ARM-002TM vaccine takes it a step further by requiring a mere 10x less protein.
This was verified through experiments conducted both in vitro, utilising an antigen cross-presentation assay, and in vivo.
In the in vivo tests, ARM-002TM pulsed with a tumour lysate concentration of 0.05 mg/ml yielded outcomes comparable to those of ARM-002TM generated with a dosage of 0.5 mg/ml.
Furthermore, the efficacy of the ARM-002TM anti-cancer vaccine was consistent across male and female mice, with no observable adverse effects in vaccinated subjects.
Sébastien Plouffe, the CEO and president of Defence Therapeutics, commented: “Defence’s AccuTOX® was initially known for its ability to kill cancer cells.
“In addition, our team found that at specific doses, AccuTOX® forms protein aggregates when mixed with tumor lysate, a process that pushes MSCs to degrade these intracellular complexes, resulting in potent antigen presentation.”
Future prospects
Defence is presently evaluating the ARM-002TM vaccine’s efficacy against ‘hard-to-treat’ cancers like pancreatic, colon, and ovarian cancers.
These findings will inform the targeted indications for Phase I trials and underscore the versatility and adaptability of the ARM-002TM anti-cancer vaccine.
