Rubius Therapeutics Presents Preclinical Data for RTX-321, a Red Cell Therapeutic™ Oncology Product Candidate for HPV-Positive Cancers, Demonstrating its Dual Mechanism of Action
“Our preclinical data demonstrate, for the first time, that RTX-321 has a dual mechanism of action by not only functioning as an antigen-presenting cell to boost HPV 16 antigen-specific T cell responses, but also promoting broad immune system stimulation of both innate and adaptive immunity,” said
Data Summaries
FOCIS Virtual Annual Meeting
• RTX-321 is an allogeneic, off-the-shelf aAPC therapy product candidate that is engineered to induce a tumor-specific immune response by expanding antigen-specific T cells. RTX-321 expresses hundreds of thousands of copies of an HPV peptide antigen bound to major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I proteins, the costimulatory molecule 4-1BBL and the cytokine IL-12 on the cell surface to mimic human T cell-APC interactions.
• Rubius Therapeutics demonstrated the dual mechanism of action of RTX-321 and its mouse surrogates to
- Function as an aAPC to boost HPV 16 E7-specific CD8+ T-cell responses; and
- Promote HPV 16-independent stimulation of innate (NK cells) and adaptive immune (non-HPV antigen-specific CD8+ T cells) responses
• Mouse surrogates of RTX-321 promote tumor control, memory formation and epitope spreading in tumor models in vivo
• Treatment with the RTX-321 mouse surrogate results in minimal, reversible effects in vivo (body weight change, IFNγ and ALT levels)
- This is likely due to the biodistribution to the vasculature and spleen
• RTX-321 functions as an aAPC to boost HPV 16 antigen-specific T cells in vitro
- RTX-321 selectively expands antigen-specific CD8+ T cells
- RTX-321 induces activation (HLA-DR) and effector phenotype/function (Tbet and granzyme B) in CD8+ T cells in the presence of HPV 16 antigen-specific T cells
- RTX-321 further increases the secretion of interferon gamma (IFNγ) in the presence of HPV 16 antigen-specific CD8+ T cells compared to peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) alone
• RTX-321 promotes HPV 16-independent adaptive and innate immune responses in vitro
- HLA-DR upregulation is observed in non-HPV 16 specific CD8+ T cells
- RTX-321 expands NK cells and increases activation (DNAM1) and effector upregulation (granzyme B) in NK cells
- RTX-321 increases the secretion of IFNγ in PBMCs alone
Taken together, these findings support the potential of RTX-321 as an effective therapy for the treatment of HPV 16+ cancers.
About HPV 16 Positive Cancers
Human papillomavirus (HPV) 16 is associated with approximately 70 percent of cervical cancers, approximately 40 percent of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) arising in the oropharynx, approximately 25-40 percent of HNSCC arising in other locations and approximately 80-85 percent of anal cancers. Despite available therapies, a critical need remains for new treatment options for advanced HPV 16-associated cancers.
About RTX-321
RTX-321 is an allogeneic, off-the-shelf aAPC therapy product candidate that is engineered to induce a tumor-specific immune response by expanding antigen-specific T cells. RTX-321 expresses hundreds of thousands of copies of an HPV peptide antigen bound to major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I proteins, the costimulatory molecule 4-1BBL and the cytokine IL-12 on the cell surface to mimic human T cell-APC interactions.
About
Forward Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, as amended, including, without limitation, statements regarding the, our expectations regarding the therapeutic potential of our Red Cell Therapeutics, including RTX-321 for the treatment of HPV 16-positive tumors, and our strategy, business plans and focus. The words “may,” “will,” “could,” “would,” “should,” “expect,” “plan,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “believe,” “estimate,” “predict,” “project,” “potential,” “continue,” “target” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements, although not all forward-looking statements contain these identifying words. Any forward-looking statements in this press release are based on management’s current expectations and beliefs and are subject to a number of risks, uncertainties and important factors that may cause actual events or results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by any forward-looking statements contained in this press release, including, without limitation, those risks and uncertainties related to the development of our Red Cell Therapeutic product candidates and their therapeutic potential and other risks identified in our
Contacts:
Investors
Lori Melançon
Vice President, Corporate Communications and Investor Relations
+1 (617) 949-5296
lori.melancon@rubiustx.com
Media
Director, Corporate Communications
marissa.hanify@rubiustx.com
1AB
+1 (973) 271-6085
dan@1abmedia.com
Source: Rubius Therapeutics