SCG Cell Therapy Unveils Preclinical Data on HPV-TCR T Cell Therapy at ASGCT 2024

SCG Cell Therapy Pte Ltd (SCG), a biotechnology company in the clinical stage, is pioneering immunotherapies for infectious diseases and their related cancers. Recently, SCG presented its first preclinical data for SCG142, a novel T cell receptor-engineered T (TCR T) cell therapy aimed at human papillomavirus (HPV) at the American Society of Gene & Cell Therapy (ASGCT) Annual Meeting in Baltimore, Maryland.

SCG142 is notable for its use of a TGFβRII-41BB immunoswitch, an innovative feature designed to enhance the efficacy of TCR T cell therapies. In preclinical trials, SCG142 showed significant improvements in the proliferation and tumor-inhibiting abilities of CD8+ and CD4+ TCR T cells both in-vitro and in animal models. Unlike conventional TCR T cells lacking the immunoswitch, SCG142 demonstrated superior performance in models including tumor rechallenge scenarios. The therapy also showed a promising safety profile, exhibiting no alloreactivity or off-target toxicity in toxicology assessments.

A key advantage of SCG142 is its independence from the CD8 co-receptor, enabling it to transfer desired effector functions to CD4+ T cells. This attribute contributes to the longer persistence and enhanced proliferation of T cells. Moreover, SCG142 displayed high functional avidity, recognizing both HPV-16 and HPV-52 genotypes, which are prevalent in various cancers.

Dr. Susanne Wilde, Head of Preclinical Research at SCG Cell Therapy, highlighted the significance of these findings. She noted that SCG142 retains a favorable safety profile while overcoming the immune inhibitory signals of TGF-β, making it a potentially effective treatment for solid tumors. Encouraged by these promising preclinical results, SCG is moving forward with plans to advance SCG142 into clinical trials.

SCG142 represents an autologous HPV-specific TCR T cell therapy, potentially setting a new standard in its class. Utilizing SCG's proprietary GianTCRTM technology, the therapy isolates high affinity and high avidity natural TCRs to target intracellular antigens presented via the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) in solid tumors. This technology enhances the ability to target HPV-16 and HPV-52-positive tumor cells, enabling sustained anti-tumor activity independent of the CD8 co-receptor.

Human papillomavirus (HPV) is the most common sexually transmitted infection, affecting nearly all sexually active individuals at some point. High-risk HPV types can lead to the development of cancers, accounting for more than 90% of anal and cervical cancers, around 70% of vaginal and vulvar cancers, and about 60% of penile and oropharyngeal cancers. Globally, HPV infections cause an estimated 630,000 cancer cases annually.

SCG Cell Therapy, headquartered in Singapore, is focused on developing innovative immunotherapies targeting cancer-causing infections such as HPV, helicobacter pylori, HBV, and EBV. The company is developing a diverse pipeline of TCR-based cellular immunotherapy products for infection-associated cancers. Leveraging its proprietary GianTCRTM TCR screening platform, in-house viral vector production, and AutoCellTM, a fully automated cell therapy manufacturing system, SCG covers the entire value chain from research and development to manufacturing and clinical trials.