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Synergy of SCIB1 with checkpoint inhibitors
Synergy of SCIB1 with checkpoint inhibitors.
About this update from Scancell Holdings Plc
[{"type":"text","content":"\n \nRNS Number : 8318O Scancell Holdings Plc 12 August 2014 \n \n\n12 August 2014\n \n \nScancell Holdings Plc\n \nSynergy of SCIB1 with checkpoint inhibitors\n \nCombining SCIB1 with PD-1 blockade enhances tumour destruction and extends survival times \n \n \nScancell Holdings plc ('Scancell' or the 'Company'), the developer of novel immunotherapies for the treatment of cancer, is pleased to announce new data demonstrating that animals treated with a combination of SCIB1, Scancell's ImmunoBody® vaccine in development for the treatment of melanoma, and checkpoint inhibition (blockade of the PD-1 immune checkpoint pathway), showed enhanced tumour destruction and significantly longer survival times than when either treatment was used alone. \n \nWe have previously shown that administration of SCIB1 alone induced potent tumour-specific T cell responses associated with increased T cell infiltration into the tumour and enhanced proliferation of T cells within the tumour resulting in tumour rejection and long-term survival in 50% of animals. In our new study, PD-1 blockade, when used alone, resulted in tumour rejection and long-term survival in 55% of animals. However, the combination of PD-1 blockade with SCIB1 vaccination further enhanced T cell infiltration, resulting in tumour rejection and long-term survival in 85% of animals. These results highlight the potential benefits of combining SCIB1 with PD-1 blockade in the treatment of cancer. \n \nCheckpoint inhibitors can enable the host immune system to recognise, attack and destroy cancer cells. However, checkpoint inhibitors cannot work on their own if the patient fails to mount an adequate immune response to the tumour. Taking the brake off immunosuppressive T cells with PD-1 blockade, whilst simultaneously pressing the accelerator with active immunotherapies such as SCIB1 is increasingly regarded as the logical next step towards overwhelming the disease and increasing efficacy. These data confirm for the first time that the combination of SCIB1 with PD-1 blockade enhances tumour destruction and prolongs survival in animal models.\n \nProf Lindy Durrant, Joint CEO of Scancell and Professor of Cancer Immunotherapy at Nottingham University, commented: \"The rationale for...