Avenge Bio announces peer-reviewed publication on preclinical proof of concept for LOCOcyte platform technology

Ovarian cancer is one of the most difficult cancers to treat. It is typically not detected until later stages, and about 70 percent of patients will have recurrence after an initial treatment, which is often fatal

Avenge Bio, a biotechnology company developing the LOCOcyte immunotherapy platform for the precision administration of potent immune effector molecules to treat solid tumours, today announced a publication in the peer-reviewed journal Science Advances describing the foundational, preclinical research establishing the LOCOcyte platform proof of concept in animal models. The manuscript, entitled "Clinically translatable cytokine delivery platform for eradication of intraperitoneal tumours," was published today and can be viewed on the Science Advances website.

Ovarian cancer is one of the most difficult cancers to treat. It is typically not detected until later stages, and about 70 percent of patients will have recurrence after an initial treatment, which is often fatal. Furthermore, ovarian tumours produce fluid that makes it challenging to deliver drugs locally. To overcome this challenge, a research team at Rice University led by Omid Veiseh, Ph.D., has developed an innovative immunotherapy platform that enables engineered cells to produce immune-activating molecules, for a specified duration, within this fluid tumour microenvironment.

The Science Advances manuscript details the immunotherapy platform and its safety and efficacy in preclinical models. The human cells are engineered to produce murine immune cell signalling molecule interleukin-2 (IL2), a critical cytokine that initiates a robust localized immune response when administered into the intraperitoneal (IP) cavity of tumour-bearing mice that model advanced ovarian cancer. Notably, 100% of mice showed a significant tumour burden reduction after 30 days, compared to controls. The study also demonstrated that IL2 was localized to the IP cavity and that IL2 production was limited to a 30-day window, both of which suggest a minimal risk of systemic toxicities. Furthermore, the study features robust anti-tumour data in mice with colorectal cancer, demonstrating the broad potential of the immunotherapy platform. Studies in non-human primates demonstrated similar proof of concept of both efficacy and safety, setting the stage for clinical studies in humans.

"We are excited to share these data with the scientific community. Ovarian cancer remains a significant clinical challenge, which drove our team's dedication to discover and develop an innovative treatment approach," said Dr. Veiseh, Assistant Professor of Bioengineering at Rice University and a Founder of Avenge Bio. "I am grateful to all of the researchers and collaborators involved with this project, including Amanda Nash who has worked on this project from inception.  Amanda and I look forward to working with Avenge to bring this technology in the clinic to help patients in need."

Avenge Bio has an exclusive license from Rice University for this technology. Avenge has been engaged in discussions with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and expects to begin clinical studies in the second half of 2022.