The study evaluated the DNA vaccine GX-188E (tirvalimogene teraplasmid) and the lymphopenia-correcting immune-oncology drug GX-I7 (efineptakin alfa) in combination with immune checkpoint inhibitor Keytruda (pembrolizumab).
The phase 2 investigator-initiated clinical trial (IIT) being conducted in
All 11 patients who participated in the trial underwent surgery as planned after neoadjuvant therapy with no increase in surgical delay or surgical complications. Seven patients (63.6%) showed a major pathological response (MPR), and four patients (36.3%) achieved a pathological complete response (pCR), indicating satisfactory primary evaluation variables. Furthermore, comparative analysis of the tissue before and after combination therapy revealed an increase in follicular helper T cells (CD4+) and reactivation of killer T cells (CD8+) in the tumor microenvironment.
Using AI-based analysis technology, the triple combination therapy was found to increase the density of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TIL) and completely transform tumors classified as immune-desert or immune-excluded types into inflamed tumors.
Professor
'We are pleased by these early data in this important trial as this is the first time this combination therapy has been used,' said
HNSCC cancer is one of the malignant tumors that occur on the patient's facial area and is commonly caused by factors such as smoking and high-risk HPV infection. While various treatment methods such as surgery, radiation therapy and chemotherapy have been used in the past, the size of the surgical area can significantly impact the patient's quality of life. Therefore, immunotherapy has been gaining attention as a treatment option along with the development of immune checkpoint inhibitors. The results of this study will be presented in a poster session at the ASCO 2023 Annual Meeting, which will be held in
Contact:
Tel: +82-2-6098-2600
Email: ir2@genexine.com
Fax: +82-2-6098-2600
(C) 2023 Electronic News Publishing, source