Genprex Presents Positive Preclinical Data on Reqorsa® Gene Therapy at SITC 2024 Annual Meeting

Genprex, Inc., a company engaged in developing gene therapies for cancer and diabetes, has announced that its partners at Meharry Medical College will present promising preclinical data on its lead drug candidate, Reqorsa® Gene Therapy (quaratusugene ozeplasmid), at the 39th Annual Society for Immunotherapy of Cancer Meeting in Houston, Texas. This development emphasizes the therapeutic potential of REQORSA in modulating immune responses against cancer.

Ryan Confer, President and CEO of Genprex, expressed satisfaction with the presentation of these findings at a prestigious cancer meeting, underscoring the growing evidence supporting REQORSA's anti-tumor mechanisms. The presentation will detail the results of a study evaluating the role of the tumor suppressor gene TUSC2 in immune response modulation.

In the study, researchers utilized comparative flow cytometry analysis of different immune cells from both TUSC2 Knock Out (KO) and TUSC2 Wild Type (WT) mice. They analyzed immune responses to tumors by injecting TUSC2-expressing lipoparticles (REQORSA) into one of the TUSC2 KO mice groups after challenging both groups with metastatic lung cancer cells. The results showed a reduction in tumor growth in the REQORSA-supplemented group. The researchers observed a significant decrease in regulatory T cells and an increase in cytotoxic T cells and NK cells within the tumor-infiltrating leucocytes (TILs). Additionally, there was a notable rise in Granzyme B expression within the cytotoxic T cells and NK cells in the REQORSA-treated mice compared to the control group.

This research builds on previous studies demonstrating REQORSA's capability to modulate immune cells in the Tumor Micro Environment. The changes in immune cells due to REQORSA treatment were linked to a reduction in tumor size, indicating that REQORSA might have anti-tumor potential even in individuals with low overall TUSC levels due to various conditions, such as aging or chronic inflammation. The study documented that REQORSA treatment increased immune response against tumors in TUSC2 KO mice.

REQORSA incorporates the TUSC2 gene in a plasmid form, encapsulated within non-viral lipid-based nanoparticles known as the Oncoprex® Delivery System, which Genprex has developed. This system targets cancer cells specifically, delivering the TUSC2 gene to these negatively charged cells while minimizing uptake by normal tissue. Laboratory studies at MD Anderson revealed that tumor cells' uptake of TUSC2 after REQORSA treatment was significantly higher than that in normal cells.


Genprex, Inc. is dedicated to developing therapies that significantly impact patients' lives, focusing on gene therapies for cancer and diabetes. The company's technologies aim to deliver disease-fighting genes to large patient populations with limited treatment options. Genprex collaborates with top institutions to advance its gene therapy pipeline. Its oncology program utilizes a systemic, non-viral delivery method to encapsulate the gene-expressing plasmids, which are then administered intravenously to target tumor cells.

The company's lead product candidate, Reqorsa® Gene Therapy, is under evaluation in clinical trials for treating both non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and small cell lung cancer (SCLC). Genprex’s lung cancer clinical programs have received Fast Track Designation from the FDA, with the SCLC program also receiving an Orphan Drug Designation. The company's diabetes gene therapy approach involves using an AAV vector to deliver Pdx1 and MafA genes to the pancreas, potentially transforming alpha cells into insulin-producing beta-like cells. This method shows promise in both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes models.

The success of REQORSA in modulating immune responses and reducing tumor growth highlights its potential as a significant therapeutic option in cancer treatment.

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