On February 13, 2020 Calidi Biotherapeutics, Inc., a clinical‐stage immuno-oncology company at the forefront of cell-based oncolytic virus immunotherapies for cancer, reported pre-clinical data on their lead oncolytic virus candidate SNV1 (allogeneic adipose derived mesenchymal stem cells loaded with tumor selective CAL1 vaccinia virus) in a poster presentation at the 2020 ASCO (Free ASCO Whitepaper)-SITC Clinical Immuno-Oncology Symposium (Press release, Calidi Biotherapeutics, FEB 13, 2020, View Source [SID1234554306]).
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SNV1 demonstrated enhanced therapeutic effects when compared to naked vaccinia virus across multiple human cancer cell lines and animal tumor models. "The biggest hurdle in oncolytic virotherapy is the quick elimination of an oncolytic virus by the patient’s immune system," said Boris Minev, MD, President, Medical and Scientific Affairs, Calidi Biotherapeutics. "We presented data documenting potent anti-tumor and immunologic effects not only at the SNV1-injected site, but also at distant non-treated tumor sites. These abscopal effects on non-injected tumors support our premise that Calidi’s proprietary stem cell vehicle and vaccinia virus combination can modulate the tumor microenvironment and activate the immune system making it a powerful combination therapy partner in immuno-oncology. We look forward to exploring partnerships and licensing opportunities with other companies working in this space."
SNV1 was analyzed for its ability to kill cancer cell lines in vitro, and protect and potentiate the oncolytic virus even in the presence of active neutralizing antibodies and complement. SNV1 was also injected intratumorally in various xenograft and syngeneic animal models. Immune cell infiltration of the injected tumors was analyzed by flow cytometry of tumor-derived single cell suspensions. Intratumoral SNV1 treatment showed statistically significant tumor growth inhibition when compared to control (non-treated tumors) or to CAL1 naked virus treatment in all tested syngeneic tumor models (breast, melanoma, colon, and prostate cancers). Importantly, the local administration of SNV1 induced systemic therapeutic effects as well as modulation of local and distant tumor immune infiltration.
The therapeutic premise behind Calidi’s cell-based platform is to protect and potentiate the oncolytic vaccinia virus by circumventing humoral innate and adaptive immune barriers, resulting in enhanced oncolytic virotherapy. These findings provide a fundamental rationale for the development of cell-based platforms to maximize the therapeutic potential of various oncolytic viruses. A copy of the abstract and poster presentation materials can be found in the Publications section of the Calidi Biotherapeutics website.