Anixa Biosciences Begins Treating Fifth Patient in Ovarian Cancer CAR-T Trial

Anixa Biosciences, Inc., a clinical-stage biotechnology firm based in San Jose, California, has begun treating the fifth patient in its Phase 1 clinical trial for a novel chimeric antigen receptor T-cell (CAR-T) therapy targeted at ovarian cancer. This clinical trial, developed in collaboration with Moffitt Cancer Center, aims to treat female patients whose ovarian cancer has recurred or progressed after at least two previous therapies.

The initial human trial (NCT05316129) has so far confirmed the safety of the therapy in its first group of three patients. The second group, including the fifth patient, is receiving a dose of engineered T-cells that is three times higher than that given to the first group. This research is designed to determine the maximum tolerated dose of T-cells targeting the follicle-stimulating hormone receptor (FSHR), a receptor unique to ovarian cells.

According to Dr. Amit Kumar, Chairman and CEO of Anixa, the trial is making significant progress. "With our fifth patient treated, our trial is progressing, and we continue to see that our therapy appears to be safe and well-tolerated," he stated. He emphasized that this CAR-T therapy is different from traditional ones because it targets FSHR, which is specifically found on ovarian cells in healthy adult females. This specificity was developed to address the challenges faced by conventional CAR-T treatments for solid ovarian tumors. The trial will also investigate various parameters to apply this CAR-T therapy to solid tumors more broadly.

The FSHR-targeted CAR-T technology was developed by Dr. Jose R. Conejo-Garcia, Professor of Immunology at Duke University School of Medicine. Anixa holds an exclusive global license for this technology from The Wistar Institute.

Anixa's CAR-T technology, referred to as CER-T (chimeric endocrine receptor T-cell) therapy, involves autologous cell therapy. This approach uses engineered T-cells to target the FSHR, which is found at significant levels only on the granulosa cells of the ovaries. The technology is distinct because it targets a hormone receptor, utilizing its natural ligand for the target-binding domain.

Anixa Biosciences is devoted to developing treatments and preventive measures for cancer. Aside from the ovarian cancer immunotherapy program using CER-T technology, the company's portfolio includes vaccines developed with the Cleveland Clinic to prevent triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), the most deadly form of the disease. The company is also working on ovarian cancer vaccines and additional vaccines for various high-incidence cancers, such as those affecting the lungs, colon, and prostate. These vaccines focus on immunizing against "retired" proteins that become re-expressed in certain cancers.

Anixa’s business strategy involves partnerships with renowned research institutions for all stages of development, enabling the company to explore new technologies for further development and commercialization continually. 

How to obtain the latest research advancements in the field of biopharmaceuticals?

In the Synapse database, you can keep abreast of the latest research and development advances in drugs, targets, indications, organizations, etc., anywhere and anytime, on a daily or weekly basis. Click on the image below to embark on a brand new journey of drug discovery!