This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies. Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility:
fact-checked
preprint
trusted source
proofread
Study reports progress in long-term protection against ovarian cancer tumors
Investigators from the C.S. Mott Center for Human Growth and Development at the Wayne State University School of Medicine reported today in Cancer Immunology Research the characterization of a novel therapeutic approach capable of restoring immune surveillance and providing long-term protection against ovarian cancer tumors.
The study, "Immune modulation of innate and adaptive responses restores immune surveillance and establishes anti-tumor immunological memory," used an immune modulatory platform called CARG-2020 in collaboration with CaroGen Corp.
CARG-2020, an onco-immunomodulatory vesicle, is capable of inducing in situ vaccination and activation of both arms of the immune system, leading to the development of a long-term antitumoral immune memory capable of preventing recurrence in animal models of ovarian cancer.
The team of investigators led by Gil Mor, M.D., Ph.D., scientific director of the C.S Mott Center, and Ayesha Alvero, M.D., M.S., director of the Ovarian Cancer Program at the C.S. Mott Center, characterized the efficacy of CARG-2020s.
"The ability of CARG-2020 to modulate the two arms of the immune system and to restore immune surveillance provides a unique protection that eliminates existing tumors, prevents tumor recurrence, and provides 100% survival benefit over a long period. These findings make CARG-2020 a promising candidate for further development for human cancer immunotherapy," Mor said.
CaroGen is finalizing a protocol to advance CARG-2020 into Phase 1 clinical trials for ovarian cancer patients. This novel approach may prove more effective than existing immunotherapies, which had limited results in patients with ovarian cancer.
"More than 13,000 women die of ovarian cancer in the United States each year, and CARG-2020 could be a breakthrough immunotherapy in helping them to live longer," Alvero said. "CARG-2020 preclinical results are impressive and could potentially help to prolong and save lives in patients with ovarian cancer."
A phase 1 clinical trial is in preparation in collaboration with investigators from the University of South Florida and CaroGen Corp.
"Our goal is to file an investigation of new drug application for CARG-2020 in the second half of 2024 and conduct a safety and efficacy Phase 1/1b clinical trial in patients with ovarian cancer at University of South Florida," said Bijan Almassian, Ph.D., CaroGen's chief executive officer.
That effort is being led by Deborah Church, M.D., chief medical officer of CaroGen, along with Dr. Mor and Thomas Rutherford, Ph.D., M.D., professor of obstetrics and division director of gynecology oncology at the University of South Florida's Morsani College of Medicine.
"This research at Wayne State is an excellent example of the important work that our faculty are doing in partnership with corporate partners," said Timothy Stemmler, Ph.D., interim vice president for research. "Dr. Mor and his research team are doing critical research that is leading to great advances to improve women's health and save lives."
More information: Ayesha B. Alvero et al, Immune modulation of innate and adaptive responses restores immune surveillance and establishes anti-tumor immunological memory, Cancer Immunology Research (2023). DOI: 10.1158/2326-6066.CIR-23-0127. On bioRxiv: DOI: 10.1101/2023.09.27.559828
