Imugene Ltd (ASX:IMU, OTC:IUGNF) has presented a poster on its lead candidate, oncolytic virus CF33-hNIS (VAXINIA), at the ASCO Gastrointestinal (ASCO-GI) Cancers Symposium currently being conducted in San Francisco.
The poster "Oncolytic Virus CF33-hNIS Monotherapy for the Treatment of Gastrointestinal Malignancies" was presented on 18 January 2024 during Session A: Cancers of the Esophagus and Stomach and Other GI Cancers.
Dr Daneng Li, from the City of Hope National Comprehensive Cancer Centre showcased the poster which detailed the background on CF33, the MAST (metastatic advanced solid tumours) study design, objectives and results observed to date.
Conclusions of the poster presentation included:
- Preliminary data from the first three dose levels demonstrates encouraging antitumor activity with CF33-hNIS monotherapy, including one patient with cholangiocarcinoma, treated intratumorally, who achieved an immunological complete response (CR) with no known recurrence after one year.
- CF33-hNIS monotherapy may be an effective and safe treatment option for GI (gastrointestinal) malignancies and warrants further investigation in biliary tract cancer patients.
- Immunological changes in CF33-hNIS responding patients show a robust innate and adaptive immune response known to promote anti-tumor immunity and underscores the immunomodulatory potential of this therapy.
Read: Imugene plans Phase 1 VAXINIA MAST trial expansion to target bile duct cancer
Imugene plans to expand its Phase 1 MAST trial to target bile duct tumours, further advancing the evaluation of CF33-hNIS following initial successes and a recent FDA Fast Track designation.
"Following the positive news on VAXINIA's early signals and FDA Fast Track Designation to end 2023, we are pleased to start the new year by announcing the ongoing progress of the MAST trial as we continue to see no safety issues with the drug," said Imugene managing director and chief executive officer Leslie Chong.
"We also look forward to expanding the trial to take a closer look at bile duct cancer where we've seen early encouraging results."