ImmunoCellular Therapeutics, Ltd. (OTC.BB: IMUC) announced today that
its dendritic cell-based vaccination with cancer stem cells (CSCs)
demonstrated a statistically significant survival benefit in a
preclinical animal model of glioblastoma. The rats were either immunized
with cancer stem cells (CSCs) from a brain cancer tumor or the daughter
cells (the bulk of the tumor), and results showed that those immunized
with the CSCs had a median survival of 50 days compared to 29 days for
daughter cells. Furthermore, 30% of animals vaccinated against cancer
stem cells demonstrated long term survival as compared to animals
vaccinated with the bulk of the tumor, all of which died.
“The data further validates our research
indicating that targeting CSCs has the potential to be a highly
effective method of treating various cancers.”
“We are excited by the study’s results, as it represents a significant
step forward in the continued development of our cancer stem cell based
vaccines,” said Dr. Manish Singh , PhD., President and CEO of
ImmunoCellular Therapeutics. “The data further validates our research
indicating that targeting CSCs has the potential to be a highly
effective method of treating various cancers.” The data also
demonstrated increased Gamma-Interferon levels in animals treated with
CSCs, indicating an increased immune response consistent with increase
in survival further supporting the mechanism of action of this approach
The Company’s recently completed Phase I trial of its lead cancer
vaccination product candidate ICT-107, an active immunotherapy developed
from studies conducted by ImmunoCellular Therapeutics, showed that
targeting certain specific antigens that are highly expressed on cancer
stem cells (CSCs) can lead to significant benefit in progression free
survival as well as overall survival in glioblastoma patient.
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