Imugene Ltd (ASX:IMU, OTC:IUGNF) has dosed the first patient in the intratumoural (IT) combination arm of its Phase 1 onCARlytics (CF33-CD19) clinical trial, which is designed to convert hard-to-treat 'targetless' tumours to CD19-expressing solid tumours that can be targeted.
This development is part of the OASIS trial, which combines a CD19-expressing oncolytic virus with a CD19-targeting drug.
OASIS is designed to assess the safety and efficacy of Imugene's CD19 oncolytic virotherapy that explores two routes of administration, intratumoural (IT) injection and intravenous (IV) infusion, either alone, or in combination with blinatumomab, in patients with advanced or metastatic solid tumours.
The OASIS trial is expected to recruit up to 40 patients with advanced solid cancers that have spread, with the first patient being a colorectal cancer patient dosed at Northwestern University.
OASIS is being conducted at seven sites in the US including City of Hope, University of Cincinnati and MD Anderson Cancer Center, with the potential to open a total of 10 sites to recruit up to around 40 patients with advanced solid cancers that have spread.
In February, the first patient with bile tract cancer was dosed in the IV monotherapy arm of the trial at City of Hope in California. Subject to the rate of patient enrolment, Imugene expects preliminary IT and/or IV combination status later this quarter.
Optimistic about the effectiveness
Imugene managing director and CEO Leslie Chong said: “We are pleased to have dosed the first patient in the intratumoural arm of our OASIS trial.
“With CD19 being a well-established target in blood cancers, we are optimistic about the effectiveness it could show in solid tumours.
“onCARlytics has the potential to induce expression of CD19 on the surface of solid tumours and allowing existing CD19 therapies to recognise and attack the cancer.
“We’re pleased to continue advancing this prospective new treatment option for those in need."