Approval granted for a transgene to be used in an in-vivo oncolytic virus experiment
Transgene, a biotech company specializing in virus-based immunotherapies for cancer treatment, has announced that its novel oncolytic virus, TG6050, is set to enter a phase I clinical trial for the treatment of advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).
TG6050, developed using Transgene's proprietary Invir.IO® viral backbone platform, is designed to selectively target and kill cancer cells while stimulating an antitumor immune response. The virus acts like a "Trojan horse," inducing the production of potent therapies such as IL-12 directly in the tumor.
Key features of TG6050 include its ability to replicate preferentially within tumor cells, leading to their destruction without harming normal tissue. It is also engineered to convert immunologically "cold" tumors into "hot" tumors by inducing infiltration of T cells and increasing PD(L)-1 expression in the tumor microenvironment, thereby enhancing responsiveness to immunotherapies.
The potential synergy with immune checkpoint inhibitors is another expected advantage. Evidence from related oncolytic viruses suggests that combining oncolytic viruses with PD-1 inhibitors can lead to tumor shrinkage in both injected and non-injected lesions. TG6050 also expresses a full-length anti-CTLA4 antibody, further enhancing its potential in combination therapies.
TG6050 has been engineered to express human IL-12, a cytokine that triggers a powerful antitumor immune response. This, combined with its ability to selectively target tumor cells and elicit a powerful and multi-pronged antitumor response, makes TG6050 an exciting new asset within Transgene's growing oncolytic virus pipeline.
The phase I clinical trial, known as the Delivir trial, will enroll up to 36 patients with advanced NSCLC who have failed standard therapeutic options, including immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs). The trial is expected to commence in the first half of 2023, with the first patient enrolled at a multicenter trial site.
Intravenous administration of TG6050 addresses a broader range of patients with solid tumors who are not suitable for intratumoral administration. This CTA approval is an important milestone for Transgene, marking a significant step forward in the development of TG6050 as a potential treatment for advanced NSCLC.
While specific clinical efficacy data for TG6050 in advanced non-small cell lung cancer is not yet fully disclosed, its design and mechanism leverage oncolytic virotherapy’s dual action: direct tumor cell killing and immune system activation, expected to overcome resistance in advanced cancers and improve patient responses.
TG6050, a novel oncolytic virus developed by Transgene for cancer treatment, is set to enter a phase I clinical trial for the treatment of advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), showcasing its potential within the field of medicine and health-and-wellness. The virus, engineered using Transgene's proprietary Invir.IO® platform, aims to selectively target cancer cells, stimulate an antitumor immune response, and convert "cold" tumors into "hot" tumors, enhancing their responsiveness to immunotherapies, including cancer-targeting medical-conditions such as immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs).
