The British Daily Mail newspaper revealed that scientists injected the first human patient with a “cancer-killing virus”, which was proven to shrink solid tumors in animals, as the Vaccinia virus was genetically modified to infect and kill cancer cells, while preserving healthy cells.
Animal tests showed that it was able to reduce the size of tumors of colon, lung, breast, ovarian and pancreatic cancer, while other immunotherapies were effective in some types of cancer. In contrast, Vaxinia can activate the patient’s immune system and increase the level of a protein called PD. -L1 in tumors, making immunotherapy more effective against cancer.
Vaxinia, (full name CF33-hNIS VAXINIA), is a type of “anti-tumor virus” – a naturally occurring virus that has been genetically modified specifically to fight cancer.
It is being developed by Imugene Limited, a company that specializes in new therapies that activate the immune system against cancer.
“Our previous research showed that oncoviruses can stimulate the immune system to respond to and kill cancer, as well as stimulate the immune system to be more responsive to other immunotherapies,” said Danning Li, principal investigator and assistant professor in the Department of Medical Oncology at City of Hope, USA. Now is the time to leverage the power of immunotherapy, and we believe CF33-hNIS has the potential to improve outcomes for our patients in their battle with cancer.”
The phase 1 clinical trial aims to recruit 100 cancer patients with metastatic or advanced solid tumors across approximately 10 trial sites in the US and Australia. The patients will begin receiving low-dose Vaxinia, either by injection directly into the tumors or intravenously.
Once Vaxina is proven safe, some participants will also receive an immunotherapy called pembrolizumab, which improves the immune system’s ability to fight cancer-causing cells.