Successful Trial of ARM-002 Anti-Cancer Vaccine Against Pancreatic Cancer
Defence Therapeutics Inc., a biopharmaceutical company based in Vancouver, British Columbia, has announced the successful completion of a pre-clinical vaccination trial involving its ARM-002TM vaccine for pancreatic cancer. This vaccine demonstrated significant therapeutic efficacy, particularly when used in combination with the anti-PD-1 immune-checkpoint inhibitor.
In a recent in vivo pre-clinical study, Defence tested the ARM-002TM vaccine combined with a pancreatic cancer lysate and the anti-PD-1 immune-checkpoint on animals with established Pan02 tumors. The results were promising, as all treated animals survived for over 40 days, equivalent to nearly five human years, with significantly impaired or blocked tumor growth compared to control groups. These encouraging outcomes highlight the potential of the ARM-002TM vaccine in targeting "hard-to-treat" cancers and have influenced Defence's decision to focus its upcoming Phase I trial on pancreatic cancer.
Pancreatic cancer is characterized by uncontrolled cellular growth in the pancreas and is usually not diagnosed until it has metastasized, at which point treatment options are limited. Traditional treatments for pancreatic cancer, such as surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy, often offer limited clinical benefits and are associated with considerable complications. Even when surgery is an option, patients may need lifelong medication to replace pancreatic functions. Chemotherapy, often used alongside radiation therapy, can shrink tumors but is frequently met with resistance and relapse.
As these conventional treatments fail many patients, immunotherapy has emerged as a promising alternative. Immunotherapy leverages the body's immune system to target and eliminate cancer cells. Defence Therapeutics aims to advance its innovative immune therapies to the clinical stage to benefit cancer patients. According to Sebastien Plouffe, CEO of Defence Therapeutics, the company's Accum® platform is highly flexible and can be used to develop treatments for various diseases. The ARM-002TM vaccine, for instance, has shown efficacy in pre-clinical trials against solid T-cell lymphoma, melanoma, and now pancreatic cancer.
The pancreatic cancer market is projected to exceed USD 36 billion by 2036, growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 18% from 2024 to 2036. In 2023, the market size was over USD 6 billion. The rising prevalence of pancreatic cancer worldwide is a significant factor driving this market growth.
Defence Therapeutics is a publicly traded clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on engineering next-generation vaccines and antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) products using its proprietary ACCUM® technology. This platform allows for the precise delivery of vaccine antigens or ADCs in their intact form to target cells, enhancing their efficacy and potency against severe illnesses such as cancer and infectious diseases.
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!
