Defence Therapeutics Presentation: ARM-X: Putting Pedal to the Metal for the Design of Cell-Based Anti-Cancer Vaccines
Friday, May 31, 2024 01:00 PM - 01:15 PM
Exhibit Hall - Theatre A
Global Showcase Presentation
Presenter
Mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) have been previously shown to exhibit potent antigen-presenting cells (APCs)-like capabilities in response to both genetic or pharmacological reprogramming means. While studying the impact of various Accum® molecules, AccuTOX® was identified as a cancer pro-killing compound, which was used ultimately as an injectable anti-cancer molecule for solid tumors. Interestingly however, AccuTOX® also enhanced antigen presentation in cancer cells, which served as a rationale to its use to elicit antigen cross-presentation properties in MSCs. AccuTOX®-reprogrammed MSCs (ARM-X) exhibited improved soluble antigen uptake and processing. Comprehensive analysis, encompassing cross-presentation assays and molecular profiling, among other cellular investigations, elucidated AccuTOX's impact on endosomal escape, reactive oxygen species production, and cytokine secretion. By evaluating ARM-X-based cellular vaccine in a mouse model of melanoma, we observed significant therapeutic potency, particularly in allogeneic setting and in combination with anti-PD-1 immune checkpoint inhibitor. We observed similar significant therapeutics potency on other hard to treat solid tumors. Overall, those studies introduces a strong target for developing an antigen-adaptable vaccination platform, capable of synergizing with immune checkpoint blockers to trigger tumor regression, supporting further investigation of ARM-Xs as an effective and versatile anti-cancer vaccine.
Session Objectives:
• Another example for using the Accum®platform
• Pharmacological reprogramming of MSCs into antigen presenting cells
• A cell-based cancer vaccine adaptable to any solid tumor
• Synergistic effect with immune-checkpoint inhibitors
- Moutih Rafei, PhD, Chief Scientific Officer, Defence Therapeutics Inc., Canada
Mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) have been previously shown to exhibit potent antigen-presenting cells (APCs)-like capabilities in response to both genetic or pharmacological reprogramming means. While studying the impact of various Accum® molecules, AccuTOX® was identified as a cancer pro-killing compound, which was used ultimately as an injectable anti-cancer molecule for solid tumors. Interestingly however, AccuTOX® also enhanced antigen presentation in cancer cells, which served as a rationale to its use to elicit antigen cross-presentation properties in MSCs. AccuTOX®-reprogrammed MSCs (ARM-X) exhibited improved soluble antigen uptake and processing. Comprehensive analysis, encompassing cross-presentation assays and molecular profiling, among other cellular investigations, elucidated AccuTOX's impact on endosomal escape, reactive oxygen species production, and cytokine secretion. By evaluating ARM-X-based cellular vaccine in a mouse model of melanoma, we observed significant therapeutic potency, particularly in allogeneic setting and in combination with anti-PD-1 immune checkpoint inhibitor. We observed similar significant therapeutics potency on other hard to treat solid tumors. Overall, those studies introduces a strong target for developing an antigen-adaptable vaccination platform, capable of synergizing with immune checkpoint blockers to trigger tumor regression, supporting further investigation of ARM-Xs as an effective and versatile anti-cancer vaccine.
Session Objectives:
• Another example for using the Accum®platform
• Pharmacological reprogramming of MSCs into antigen presenting cells
• A cell-based cancer vaccine adaptable to any solid tumor
• Synergistic effect with immune-checkpoint inhibitors
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