Findings confirmed that patient-specific autologous dendritic cell vaccines (DCV) induced a different immune response associated with longer survival than autologous tumor cell vaccines (TCV)

IRVINE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- AIVITA Biomedical, Inc., a biotechnology company specializing in innovative cell therapy applications, announced today the publication of a paper titled, Cytokine network analysis of immune responses before and after autologous dendritic cell and tumor cell vaccine immunotherapies in a randomized trial, in the Journal of Translational Medicine. Robert O. Dillman, M.D., chief medical officer at AIVITA, and Gabriel I Nistor, M.D., chief scientific officer at AIVITA, authored the article.

The publication provides insight into the innate and adaptive immune responses induced by patient-specific autologous dendritic cell vaccines (DCV) and autologous tumor cell vaccines (TCV), and their impact on survival. DCV was associated with a multipronged innate and adaptive immune response and correlated with improved survival compared to TCV.

In a randomized Phase 2 trial conducted in patients with melanoma, blood samples were obtained at one week before and one week after a course of three weekly injections, which either included dendritic cells loaded ex vivo with antigens from autologous irradiated tumor-initiating cells (DCV), or autologous irradiated tumor-initiating cells alone (TCV). Cytokine network analysis techniques used to analyze the serologic immune responses generated by each immunotherapy confirmed they triggered differing responses. The results help provide insight into a potential underlying immunologic mechanism of action that contributes to improved survival in DCV-treated patients.

This analysis reinforces conclusions from our patient-specific cancer vaccine survival data, which suggested that ex-vivo processing of the same tumor antigens by autologous dendritic cells induces a more advantageous immune response than antigen-only based tumor cell vaccines, said Dr. Nistor. This is reassuring as we continue to further optimize our unique approach in which we use enhanced autologous dendritic cells for targeting each patients own tumor.

AIVITA is currently conducting three independent clinical studies investigating its platform immunotherapy in patients with ovarian cancer, glioblastoma and melanoma. AIVITA uses 100% of proceeds from the sale of its ROOT of SKIN skincare line to support the development of its cancer therapeutic pipeline.

About AIVITAS Clinical Trials

OVARIAN CANCER

AIVITAs ovarian Phase 2 double-blind study is active and enrolling approximately 99 patients who are being randomized in a 2:1 ratio to receive either the autologous tumor-initiating cell-targeting immunotherapy or autologous monocytes as a comparator.

Patients eligible for randomization and treatment will be those (1) who have undergone debulking surgery, (2) for whom a cell line has been established, (3) who have undergone leukapheresis from which sufficient monocytes were obtained, (4) have an ECOG performance grade of 0 or 1 (Karnofsky score of 70-100%), and (5) who have completed primary therapy. The trial is not open to patients with recurrent ovarian cancer.

For additional information about AIVITAs AVOVA-1 trial patients can visit: http://www.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02033616

GLIOBLASTOMA

AIVITAs glioblastoma Phase 2 single-arm study is active and is enrolling approximately 55 patients to receive the tumor-initiating cell-targeting immunotherapy.

Patients eligible for treatment will be those (1) who have recovered from surgery such that they are about to begin concurrent chemotherapy and radiation therapy (CT/RT), (2) for whom an autologous tumor cell line has been established, (3) have a Karnofsky Performance Status of > 70 and (4) have undergone successful leukapheresis from which peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) were obtained that can be used to generate dendritic cells (DC). The trial is not open to patients with recurrent glioblastoma.

For additional information about AIVITAs AV-GBM-1 trial please visit: http://www.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03400917

MELANOMA

AIVITAs melanoma Phase 1B open-label, single-arm study will establish the safety of administering anti-PD1 monoclonal antibodies in combination with AIVITAs tumor-initiating cell-targeting immunotherapy in patients with measurable metastatic melanoma. The study will also track efficacy of the treatment for the estimated 14 to 20 patients. This trial is not yet open for enrollment.

Patients eligible for treatment will be those (1) for whom a cell line has been established, (2) who have undergone leukapheresis from which sufficient monocytes were obtained, (3) have an ECOG performance grade of 0 or 1 (Karnofsky score of 70-100%), (4) who have either never received treatment for metastatic melanoma or were previously treated with enzymatic inhibitors of the BRAF/MEK pathway because of BRAF600E/K mutations and (5) are about to initiate anti-PD1 monotherapy.

For additional information about AIVITAs AV-MEL-1 trial please visit: http://www.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03743298

About AIVITA Biomedical

AIVITA Biomedical is a privately held company engaged in the advancement of commercial and clinical-stage programs utilizing curative and regenerative medicines. Founded in 2016 by pioneers in the stem cell industry, AIVITA Biomedical utilizes its expertise in stem cell growth and directed, high-purity differentiation to enable safe, efficient and economical manufacturing systems which support its therapeutic pipeline and commercial line of skin care products. All proceeds from the sale of AIVITAs skin care products support the treatment of people with cancer.

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AIVITA Biomedical Publishes Study Comparing Immune Responses and Associated Survivals Induced by Dendritic and Tumor Cell Vaccines - BioSpace