On November 4, 2020 IO Biotech, a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing novel, immune modulating anti-cancer therapies based on its proprietary T-win technology, reported that the first patient has received the first dose in a Phase 2 study (HN1901) investigating activity and safety of peptide-based immunotherapy in the preoperative setting for in-patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN) (Press release, IO Biotech, NOV 4, 2020, View Source [SID1234570272]). The study is being conducted in collaboration with Cliniques universitaires Saint-Luc in Brussels and is designed as an umbrella trial enabling the testing of several of IO Biotech’s compounds after initial testing of IO102 in a monotherapy setting.
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"We are very happy to start this interesting study that will help us to improve our knowledge in immunotherapy for head and neck cancer patients," said Professor Jean-Pascal Machiels, MD, PhD.
"We are excited to start this collaboration led by Professor Jean-Pascal Machiels from Institut Roi albert II Cancer Center of Cliniques universitaires Saint-Luc in Brussels," said Mai-Britt Zocca, PhD, Chief Executive Officer and founder at IO Biotech. "This study will enable IO Biotech to further validate our technology in a new indication, SCCHN, and broaden our scope to a third indication within solid tumors beyond non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and melanoma."
IO Biotech’s lead candidate, IO102, is an Indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO) derived immune modulating therapy with a dual mode of action-killing both cancer cells and immune-suppressive cells. IO Biotech’s IDO-derived immune modulating therapies have previously demonstrated both a favorable safety profile and promising anti-tumor activity in its first human clinical trial of heavily pre-treated patients with NSCLC.
About the Study
HN1901 is an open-label, randomized, Phase 2, window of opportunity trial investigating immunological changes in tumor and antitumor activity of vaccine-based immunotherapy in the pre-operative setting of patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN). This clinical trial is planned to sequentially test IO Biotech’s proprietary immune modulatory vaccines as monotherapy and as multi antigene vaccines at the Cliniques universitaires Saint-Luc in Brussels.
About SCCHN
Squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN) is one of the most common tumor types worldwide and accounts for more than 550,000 new cases and 380,000 deaths per year. The five-year survival rate for patients suffering from locally advanced head and neck cancer is estimated between 40 and 60 percent depending on the anatomical location of the primary tumor.
IO Biotech is currently conducting studies with T-Win compounds in combination with Pembrolizumab and Nivolumab, both of which are approved for SCCHN.
About T-win Technology Platform
IO Biotech’s proprietary T-win technology platform enables identification of compounds with a dual mechanism of action targeting and directly killing immunosuppressive cells and tumor cells while indirectly activating other T-effectors, leading to strong anti-tumor responses. The company’s compounds are administered as "off-the-shelf" subcutaneous injections, distinguishing these treatments from many immuno-oncology therapies.