Defence Therapeutics has announced the successful testing of its second-generation anti-cancer vaccine, named ARM-002TM, utilising its flagship anti-cancer molecule, AccuTOX®.
The ARM-002TM cancer vaccine, when employed as a therapeutic intervention in a melanoma cancer model, has demonstrated an outstanding 80% complete response rate.
This groundbreaking achievement was accomplished through a strategic combination with an anti-PD-1 immune-checkpoint inhibitor.
Harnessing the power of vaccination
In contrast to traditional cancer treatments, vaccination holds the potential to trigger specific immune responses capable of eradicating established tumours.
Moreover, the induced immune cells can establish a durable memory response, providing prolonged protection against cancer recurrence.
Innovative approach to cancer vaccine design
Using mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) as a vaccination platform, Defence has previously shown that it is possible to pharmacologically reprogramme these immune-suppressive cells into potent antigen-presenting cells using its Accum® derivative called A1 (ARMTM vaccine).
Although the ARMTM vaccine can effectively present antigens to responding T cells, the large amount of antigen preparation required to generate the cellular vaccine might pose challenges in the clinic.
Defence Therapeutics elected to test its lead AccuTOX® molecule to engineer a second-generation anti-cancer vaccine, as the latter was shown to directly enhance antigen presentation in cancer cells when delivered intratumorally at lower doses.
The ARM-002TM vaccine was tested in vivo in the context of melanoma. The vaccine elicited an impressive anti-tumoral response, prompting the team to widen its scope of application by further testing it on ‘hard-to-treat’ ovarian and pancreatic cancers.
The Defence team is conducting additional studies in parallel to decipher the exact mode of action of AccuTOX® in reprogramming MSCs while studying the mechanistic behind the ARM-002TM potency using different in vivo studies.
Sébastien Plouffe, Chief Executive Officer of Defence Therapeutics, emphasised the significance of the results: “AccuTOX® is an amazing molecule! AccuTOX® has the capacity to trigger cancer cell death when used as a direct cancer injectable, and AccuTOX®, the same molecule, converts MSCs into potent antigen presenting cells capable of priming potent anti-tumoral responses using a 10-fold lower antigen preparation.”
Upon completion of these pivotal studies and the successful ‘Dry Run’ manufacturing of ARM-002TM, Defence Therapeutics intends to seek clearance for a Phase I clinical trial targeting a spectrum of solid tumours.
The unveiling of ARM-002TM marks a significant leap forward in the fight against cancer, promising new avenues for more effective and targeted therapeutic interventions.
