For the first time, scientists have injected a human medical trial participant with a new and experimental cancer-killing virus. Known as Vaxinia, the virus developed in the US has been successful when tested on animals.
Imugene Limited a clinical stage immuno-oncology company, and City of Hope, one of the largest cancer research and treatment organizations in the United States, announced that the first patient was dosed in a Phase 1 clinical trial evaluating the safety of novel cancer-killing virus Vaxinia when used in people with advanced solid tumors.
The treatment is known as oncolytic virus therapy, in which a natural virus is genetically modified to enter cancer cells and replicate itself, thus killing them. Crucially, it’s designed to do this while avoiding healthy cells.
The treatment can also help prime peoples’ immune systems against cancer
The research report stated that the virus has been shown to “shrink colon, lung, breast, ovarian and pancreatic cancer tumors in preclinical laboratory and animal models”.
“Our previous research demonstrated that oncolytic viruses can stimulate the immune system to respond to and kill cancer, as well as stimulate the immune system to be more responsive to other immunotherapies, including checkpoint inhibitors,” said Daneng Li, MD, principal investigator of City of Hope’s Department of Medical Oncology & Therapeutics Research.
“Now is the time to further enhance the power of immunotherapy, and we believe CF33-hNIS (Vaxinia) has the potential to improve outcomes for our patients in their battle with cancer.”
Oncolytic virus therapy is made possible once viruses found in nature are genetically modified to infect, replicate in and kill cancer cells, while sparing healthy cells.
The study aims to recruit 100 patients across approximately 10 trial sites in the United States and Australia.
The trial is anticipated to run for approximately 24 months and is funded from existing budgets and resources.
Imugene M.D. and CEO Leslie Chong said, “The dosing of the first patient in our VAXINIA study is a significant milestone for Imugene and clinicians faced with the challenge of treatment for metastatic advanced solid tumors. Professor Yuman Fong and the City of Hope team have provided outstanding research. In addition to the positive preclinical results, we’re incredibly eager to unlock the potential of Vaxinia and the oncolytic virotherapy platform.”