On March 28, 2022 AIM ImmunoTech Inc. (NYSE: American AIM) ("AIM" or the "Company"), an immuno-pharma company focused on the research and development of therapeutics to treat multiple types of cancers, immune disorders, and viral diseases, including COVID-19, the disease caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus, reported that study data evaluating the direct effects of Ampligen (rintatolimod) on human pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) cells was accepted for presentation at the 15th Annual International Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Association (IHPBA) World Congress being held March 30 – April 2, 2022 in New York, NY (Press release, AIM ImmunoTech, MAR 28, 2022, View Source [SID1234611059]).
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Details of the presentation are as follows:
Title: Rintatolimod: a potential therapeutic molecule for human pancreatic cancer cells expressing Toll-Like Receptor 3
Presenting Author: Hassana El Haddaoui, Ph.D., Erasmus University Medical Center
Poster Number: EP02C-111
Presentation Type: E-Poster Presentation
Session: 2C- Pancreas Tumours
Date: Saturday, April 2, 2022
"We are encouraged by the data demonstrated by Ampligen and its potential to offer beneficial anti-tumor effects in pancreatic cancer patients. Importantly, the direct effect of Ampligen on tumor cells and its ability to boost the anti-tumor immune response via TLR-3 present in immune cells provides the validation needed to further evaluate its potential to offer therapeutic effect to pancreatic cancer patients," commented Thomas Equels, Chief Executive Officer of AIM.
For the study, three PDAC cell lines (CFPAC-1, MIAPaCa-2, and PANC-1) were treated with various concentrations of Ampligen and their corresponding vehicle control. The proliferation and migration effects were examined using in-vitro assays and the molecular effect was examined by targeted gene expression profiling. Additionally human PDAC samples were used to validate the expression of toll-like receptor 3 (TLR3) by immunohistochemistry.
Dr. El Haddaoui added, "TLR-3 signaling has been linked to cancer cell survival and migration. Based on these results, treating pancreatic cancer with Ampligen may have a direct anti-tumor effect in pancreatic cancer cells expressing TLR-3. We look forward to further evaluating Ampligen for the treatment of pancreatic cancer."
Results from the study demonstrated Ampligen decreased the proliferation and migration ability of CFPAC-1 cells. In addition, it decreased the proliferation of MIAPaCa-2 cells and the migration of PANC-1 cells. However, it did not have a dual effect in MIAPaCa-2 and PANC-1 cells. Interestingly, TLR3 was highly expressed in CFPAC-1 cells, low expressed in MIAPaCa-2 and not expressed in PANC-1. Gene expression analysis revealed the upregulation of interferon-related genes, chemokines, interleukins and cell cycle regulatory genes. The heterogeneity of TLR3 expression was confirmed in human PDAC samples.