Therapeutic
Bacterial vectors for precision cancer vaccine development
Research in Nature in October 2024 leverages evidence that bacteria “naturally home in on tumours and modulate antitumour immunity” to explore
Transgene shares “disappointing” TG4001 study update
Transgene announced in October 2024 that the primary objective of its randomised Phase II study of TG4001 has not been met. The study was evaluating
Study: cancer vaccine could tackle lesions if used early
A study in the Journal for ImmunoTherapy of Cancer finds that vaccination in a clinically relevant genetic cancer mouse model generated a population
Gritstone’s data “encouraging”, but are they enough?
Interim Phase II data from Gritstone bio’s study evaluating GRANITE in September 2024 are described as “encouraging” in a company statement.
DNA vaccines show promise against multiple myeloma
In an article for npj vaccines in October 2024, researchers present their investigation into the efficacy of a combination of DNA vaccine encoding mouse GPRC5D
Anixa plans Phase II study for breast cancer vaccine
Anixa Biosciences announced a strategic plan for a Phase II study of its breast cancer vaccine in September 2024. The proposed trial follows a Phase I trial at Cleveland Clinic with grant funding from the United States Department of Defence. The trial will evaluate...
Brenus Pharma raises funds for STC cancer research
In September 2024, Brenus Pharma announced the completion of a $25 million Series A financing round and receipt of non-dilutive funding to take the STC-1010 cancer vaccine through proof-of-concept in first-line settings for metastatic colorectal cancer patients....
IO Biotech: “promising” Phase II data for cancer candidate
In September 2024, IO Biotech announced “promising” data from its Phase II basket trial of IO102-IO103 in combination with Merck’s anti-PD-1 therapy KEYTRUDA (pembrolizumab). These results were shared in a conference presentation that included clinical and biomarker...
Investigational mRNA vaccine has promise in cancer trial
King’s College London shared in September 2024 that an mRNA cancer immunotherapy (mRNA-4359), targeted for patients with lung cancer, melanoma, and other solid tumours, has shown promise in a Phase I trial. The first-in-human study of the therapy involved 19 patients...
Pancreatic cancer vaccine trial launches in Birmingham
Researchers at the University of Birmingham announced the launch of a trial to study the use of an mRNA cancer vaccine in the treatment of pancreatic cancer in September 2024. In collaboration with the University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust (UHB), the...
GSK’s herpes candidate fails to meet trial objective
GSK announced in September 2024 that it has completed the primary objective data analysis from the Phase II part of its TH HSV REC-003 trial. The trial is a combined Phase I/II proof-of-concept study to assess the potential clinical efficacy of GSK’s early-stage...
OSE Immunotherapeutics launches ‘Artemia’ cancer trial
In September 2024, OSE Immunotherapeutics announced the launch of an international Phase III clinical trial of its off-the-shelf neoepitope-based therapeutic cancer vaccine, Tedopi. The trial, named ‘Artemia’, will compare the efficacy and safety of Tedopi monotherapy...
Evaxion’s topline data show EVX-01 has promise
In September 2024, Evaxion Biotech announced positive topline data from a Phase II trial of EVX-01. This is part of a one-year interim analysis of the trial assessing EVX-01 in combination with MSD’s anti-PD-1 therapy, KEYTRUDA, in patients with advanced melanoma....
Personalised therapy: XPO1 identified as “bona fide” antigen
A paper in Science Advances in August 2024 describes XPO1 (Exportin-1/CRM1) as a “bona fide tumour antigen” recognised by natural killer (NK) cells. With implications for vaccine development, the research identifies an opportunity for a personalised approach to NK...
Study explores COVID-19 vaccine as hyperglycaemia treatment
Research in Nature communications in August 2024 reports a non-human primate model of metabolic post-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 to identify a dysregulated blood chemokine signature in acute COVID-19 that correlates with “elevated and persistent hyperglycaemia” four...
UCLH lung cancer patient receives novel vaccine in trial
University College London Hospitals (UCLH) announced in August 2024 that a patient with lung cancer at UCLH is the first to receive a novel cancer vaccine in a clinical trial in the UK. BioNTech’s investigational immunotherapy, BNT166, uses mRNA to present common...
Everest launches personalised mRNA cancer vaccine trial
In August 2024 Everest Medicines announced the launch of an Investigator-Initiated Clinical Trial (IIT) assessing the safety, tolerability, immunogenicity, and preliminary efficacy of a personalised mRNA cancer vaccine. EVM16 will be considered as a monotherapy and in...
CureVac advances CVGBM in glioblastoma trial
In August 2024 CureVac announced the start of the dose-confirmation Part B in its ongoing Phase I study of CVGBM in patients with resected glioblastoma. CVBGM is CureVac’s first investigational cancer vaccine based on the proprietary second-generation mRNA backbone....
Understanding how BCG destroys bladder cancer cells
In August 2024 a paper in Disease Models and Mechanisms presents research that uncovers the earliest cellular mechanisms involved in tumour clearance induced by the Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) vaccine. Initially developed for use against tuberculosis (TB), the BCG...
ANKTIVA and AdHER2DC trial tackles endometrial cancer
ImmunityBio announced in August 2024 that a clinical trial to study ANKTIVA and the investigational AdHER2DC vaccine in individuals with HER2-expressing endometrial cancer has opened. The trial is sponsored by the US National Cancer Institute (NCI) and seeks to assess...
