Scancell shares encouraging results from phase 1/2 cancer trial
pharmafile | February 21, 2023 | News story | Research and Development |
Scancell Holdings PLC have shared early results from its phase 1/2 cancer study which appear “very encouraging”, according to one of the investigators supervising the trial. The ModiFY clinical trial has seen the company’s Modi-1 vaccine given to patients with various hard-to-treat cancers.
The trial has included 23 patients with head and neck cancer, high-grade serous ovarian carcinoma (HGSOC) and triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC).
So far, the results appear positive, with all those vaccinated experiencing skin reactions at the injection site suggesting T cell responses. 14 patients have reached the first imaging evaluation timepoint at week eight, one patient having a confirmed partial response and seven demonstrating stable disease regardless of having entered the trial with progressive diseases.
No dose-limiting toxicities have been noted throughout the study, so Scancell plans to enrol 138 people into further trials to receive either a monotherapy of the Modi-1 vaccine, or a combination therapy of Scancell’s drug along with checkpoint inhibitor treatments.
Dr David Pinato, principal investigator at Imperial College, commented: “Advanced ovarian cancer is an aggressive cancer which is hard to treat. The early efficacy data showing that the Modi-1 vaccine is stabilising this advanced disease is very encouraging.”
Professor Christian Ottensmeier, chief investigator at the University of Liverpool, added: “The strong DTH responses in all patients and the early clinical results, particularly in the patient with advanced SCCHN, suggests that this therapeutic cancer vaccine could have significant potential. Further studies with Modi-1 monotherapy and in combination with CPIs should tell us in which settings it will have maximum benefit to patients.”
Finally, Professor Lindy Durrant, chief executive officer of Scancell, stated: “We are highly encouraged with the early efficacy data we have achieved in the ModiFY clinical trial, and safety profile to date with patients receiving Modi-1. These results allow us to proceed with the monotherapy expansion cohorts and into the cohorts in combination with checkpoint inhibitors as planned.”
Betsy Goodfellow
