Scancell Holdings PLC (LON:SCLP) has published new research in a peer-reviewed journal highlighting the potential of its Modi-1 vaccine in hard-to-treat cancers.
The drug developer said the research, published in Journal for ImmunoTherapy of Cancer, described Modi-1’s ability to stimulate potent T cell responses that translate into tumour protection in melanoma and ovarian cancer models.
There was also evidence of a memory response to protect against a return of the tumour.
Scancell added that technical challenges with one of the peptide components had also been successfully resolved, enabling the manufacture of clinical supplies to begin in the third quarter of this year ahead of a first clinical trial.
Formal regulatory compliant toxicity studies have now been completed, with no evidence of any local or systemic toxicities being reported, it added.
Scancell is preparing a regulatory submission for a phase I/II clinical study in the UK in the first half of 2021.
Professor Lindy Durrant, chief scientific officer of Scancell, said: "These data further validate the unique mode of action, and long-term protection, of citrullinated Moditope peptides and their potential as novel immunotherapies for hard to treat cancers, particularly when conjugated with the Amplivant adjuvant to boost the overall immune response."
According to Scancell, Moditope stimulates the production of killer CD4 T cells, which overcome the immune suppression induced by tumours, allowing activated T cells to seek out and kill tumour cells that would otherwise be hidden from the immune system.
Moditope alone, or in combination with other agents, has the potential to treat a wide variety of cancers, it says.
Modi-1 is being developed for the treatment of solid tumours including triple-negative breast cancer, ovarian cancer, renal cancer and head and neck cancer.