Poly ICLC

A course of treatment with existing drugs prior to chemo-radiation led to a 35% reduction in the risk of death or return of cancer. The INTERLACE phase III trial, funded by Cancer Research UK and UCL Cancer Trials Centre, assessed whether a short course of induction chemotherapy (IC) prior to chemoradiation (CRT) could reduce the rate of relapse and death among patients with locally advanced cervical cancer. As part of an analysis of clinical data, the preliminary results will be presented at the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) congress on Sunday 22 October 2023. The peak incidence of cervical cancer is in women in their early thirties, with around 3,200 new cases each year in the UK. CRT has been the standard treatment for cervical cancer since 1999, but despite improvements in radiation therapy techniques cancer returns in up to 30% of cases. The five-year survival rate for cervical cancer stands at around 70%. Over the course of 10 years, 500 patients took part in INTERLACE at hospitals in the UK, Mexico, India, Italy and Brazil. Those who participated in the study had been diagnosed with cervical cancer, which was large enough to be seen without a microscope but had not yet spread to other parts of the body. The median age of patients in the trial was 46. Patients were randomly allocated to receive either standard CRT (external radiation with weekly cisplatin and brachytherapy), or an initial six-week course of IC (carboplatin and paclitaxel chemotherapy) followed by the same standard CRT described above. After five years, 80% of those who received IC plus CRT were alive and 73% had not seen their cancer return or spread. In the standard treatment group, 72% were alive and 64% had not seen their cancer return or spread. Dr Mary McCormack, lead investigator of the trial from UCL Cancer Institute and UCLH, said: "Our trial shows that this short course of additional chemotherapy delivered immediately before the standard CRT can reduce the risk of the cancer returning or death by 35%. "This is the biggest improvement in outcome in this disease in over 20 years. I'm incredibly proud of all the patients who participated in the trial; their contribution has allowed us to gather the evidence needed to improve treatment of cervical cancer patients everywhere. We couldn't have done this without the generous support of Cancer Research UK." Because the drugs required for IC, carboplatin and paclitaxel, are cheap, accessible and already approved for use in patients, the authors say they could be incorporated into standard of care treatment relatively quickly. Professor Jonathan Ledermann, senior author of the results from UCL Cancer Institute, said: "Cervical cancer is a disease that often strikes women in their thirties or younger. Those with locally advanced disease have a relatively high chance of relapse and the disease can take a huge toll on patients and their families. This makes the results of the INTERLACE trial, which significantly improves overall survival, an important advance in treatment." Dr Iain Foulkes, Executive Director of Research and Innovation at Cancer Research UK, said: "Timing is everything when you're treating cancer. The simple act of adding induction chemotherapy to the start of chemoradiation treatment for cervical cancer has delivered remarkable results in this trial. "A growing body of evidence is showing the value of additional rounds of chemotherapy before other treatments like surgery and radiotherapy in several other cancers. Not only can it reduce the chances of cancer coming back, it can be delivered quickly using drugs already available worldwide. "We're excited for the improvements this trial could bring to cervical cancer treatment and hope short courses of induction chemotherapy will be rapidly adopted in the clinic."

CD40HVac, a therapeutic vaccine candidate for malignancies targeting dendritic cells PARIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- LinKinVax, a clinical-stage biotechnology company focusing on innovative protein-based vaccines, and Institut Gustave Roussy, the leading cancer centre in Europe ranked third Best Cancer Hospital in the world, announced the treatment at Gustave Roussy of the first patient in a Phase I/IIa clinical study with CD40HVac, a new therapeutic vaccine candidate for HPV-positive oropharyngeal cancer. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: The objectives of the study (EUCT N° 2022-502930-25-00 - NCT06007092), sponsored by Gustave Roussy, include: To assess the immunogenicity and safety of CD40HVac with the Poly-ICLC adjuvant (Hiltonol®) against oncogenic HPV in patients with HPV-positive oropharyngeal cancer, and To determine the recommended dose for the Phase II study, based on the vaccine candidate’s safety pro ability to induce immune responses. Several exploratory objectives are also planned to estimate progression-free survival and overall survival. This multicentre study will test 2 doses of CD40HVac using a dose escalation regimen. Up to 24 patients will be recruited in this double-blind, randomised and placebo-controlled study. Valérie Bouchara, Head of Clinical Operations at LinKinVax, commented: "This first administration is a major milestone in the development of our therapeutic cancer vaccine CD40HVac. Our teams are committed to uniting their efforts to bring significant innovations to patients with limited therapeutic options, particularly those with recurrent and/or metastatic HPV-positive cancers.” Dr Caroline Even, Head of the Head and Neck Medical Oncology Unit at Gustave Roussy added: “The CD40HVac therapeutic vaccine candidate will provide a promising addition to the existing therapeutic arsenal, once its benefit and safety have been demonstrated in patients with HPV-positive oropharyngeal cancer. We are delighted to be conducting this study.” About CD40HVac LinKinVax develops CD40HVac, a therapeutic vaccine for HPV-associated malignancies, based on an innovative technology directly targeting dendritic cells (DC), which play a crucial role in the immune system by stimulating and regulating immune responses. A recent U.S. population-based study conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) showed that 66% of cervical cancers, 55% of vaginal cancers, 79% of anal cancers, and 62% of oropharyngeal cancers are attributable to HPV 16 and 18. Although many HPV-induced tumors can be cured with modern multidisciplinary treatment approaches, it is important to develop new and effective therapeutic vaccines against HPV-associated malignancies to better address the needs of patients. About LinKinVax technology LinKinVax’s vaccine platform is built around a humanized monoclonal antibody, which is fused with regions of pathogens of interest, targeting the CD40 molecule expressed by dendritic cells, DC, which play a key role in stimulating the immune system. The results obtained demonstrate the benefits of this strategy owing to the small quantity of antigens required to activate the immune system, with or without an adjuvant, and its ability to trigger a lasting cellular and humoral and immune response. The platform also benefits from the experience and safety pro the protein-based vaccines that have been widely used for over 30 years now. About LinKinVax About Gustave Roussy :