OncoSec Medical Inc. (OTCQB: ONCS),
a company developing DNA-based intratumoral cancer immunotherapies, has
entered a Sponsored Research Agreement (SRA) with the University of
Washington to evaluate the immunologic mechanisms of intratumoral DNA
IL-12 electroporation.
Dr. I. Nicholas Crispe, MBBS, PhD, a professor in the Department of
Immunology at the University of Washington and an expert in liver
immunology and tolerance, will serve as the principal investigator.
Using a novel liver cell isolation approach, Dr. Crispe has demonstrated
that different types of liver cells have the capacity to present
antigens, which likely contributes to hepatic immunosuppressive
mechanisms. In this SRA, Dr. Crispe will apply these techniques to the
B16 melanoma tumor model to not only better understand the systemic
mechanisms of intratumoral DNA IL-12 electroporation (ImmunoPulse), but
also to potentially identify other molecular targets that might combine
with IL-12 to enhance immune response.
Dr. Robert H. Pierce, Chief Scientific Officer of OncoSec Medical, said,
“We are excited to embark on this project with Dr. Crispe, who has
tremendous expertise in mechanisms of immune tolerance. We believe he
will bring fresh insights into tumor immuno-biology from his extensive
knowledge of mechanisms of pathogen-induced immuno-subversion.”
Dr. Crispe said, “We are focusing on taking the insights we have learned
from studies of the basic biology of immune tolerance, and translating
them directly to a model of human cancer. Although our initial target is
malignant melanoma, we believe it is likely that data from these studies
will be directly applicable to other cancers.”
Interleukin-12 (IL-12) is a potent inflammatory cytokine that regulates
multiple aspects of the immune system; in particular, it initiates both
innate and adaptive immune responses. IL-12 is a key driver of the
cascade of biological events that ultimately lead to T-cell-specific
killing of cancer cells. Moreover, cytokines and chemokines induced by
this pathway also increase the recruitment of inflammatory T-cells into
tumors.
ImmunoPulse is a proprietary investigational electroporation device that
delivers plasmid IL-12 DNA directly into tumors. By locally delivering
and expressing IL-12, ImmunoPulse has shown in clinical studies to
elicit anti-tumor immune activity, which has led not only to local tumor
regression, but also to systemic anti-tumor regression, while mitigating
toxicities typically observed with systemic administration of IL-12.
Preliminary interim data from OncoSec’s ongoing Phase II study in
melanoma provide evidence that local delivery of IL-12 by
electroporation increases the production of cytokines such as IFN-γ,
resulting in increased expression of genes related to the processes
required for cytotoxic CD8+ T cells to recognize and kill cancer cells.
About OncoSec Medical
OncoSec Medical Inc. is a biopharmaceutical company developing its
investigational ImmunoPulse intratumoral cancer immunotherapy. OncoSec
Medical's core technology is designed to enhance the local delivery and
uptake of DNA IL-12 and other DNA-based immune-targeting agents.
Clinical studies of ImmunoPulse have demonstrated an acceptable safety
profile and preliminary evidence of anti-tumor activity in the treatment
of various skin cancers, as well as the potential to initiate a systemic
immune response without the systemic toxicities associated with other
treatments. OncoSec's lead program evaluating ImmunoPulse for the
treatment of metastatic melanoma is currently in Phase 2 development,
and is being conducted in collaboration with several prominent academic
medical centers. As the company continues to evaluate ImmunoPulse in its
current indications, it is also focused on identifying and developing
new immune-targeting agents, investigating additional tumor indications,
and evaluating combination-based immunotherapy approaches. For more
information, please visit www.oncosec.com.
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the
meaning of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.
Any statements in this release that are not historical facts may be
considered such “forward-looking statements.” Forward-looking statements
are based on management’s current preliminary expectations and are
subject to risks and uncertainties, which may cause our results to
differ materially and adversely from the statements contained herein.
Some of the potential risks and uncertainties that could cause actual
results to differ from those predicted include our ability to raise
additional funding, our ability to acquire, develop or commercialize new
products, uncertainties inherent in pre-clinical studies and clinical
trials, unexpected new data, safety and technical issues, competition,
and market conditions. These and additional risks and uncertainties are
more fully described in OncoSec Medical’s filings with the Securities
and Exchange Commission. Undue reliance should not be placed on
forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date they are
made. OncoSec Medical disclaims any obligation to update any
forward-looking statements to reflect new information, events or
circumstances after the date they are made, or to reflect the occurrence
of unanticipated events.
Copyright Business Wire 2014