On August 21, 2018 Ichor Medical Systems, Inc. (Ichor) reported that its investigational TriGrid Delivery System (TriGrid) is being utilized in a Phase 1b/2 clinical trial to administer GX-188E, an investigational therapeutic HPV DNA vaccine developed by Genexine, Inc (Press release, Ichor Medical Systems, AUG 21, 2018, View Source [SID1234529014])., in patients with human papilloma virus (HPV)-induced advanced non-resectable cervical cancer, in combination with an anti-PD-1 therapy (NCT03444376).

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Cervical cancer is the fourth most common cancer affecting women worldwide and is almost always caused by infection with HPV. Preventative vaccines for cervical cancer are ineffective in women who are already infected with HPV, and despite advances in screening and HPV vaccination, a significant number of women develop advanced disease. Although chemotherapy is the standard first-line treatment for advanced cervical cancer, the prognosis remains poor and effective second line options are still needed.

Ichor’s patented TriGrid Delivery System uses electroporation to open pathways into cells to facilitate entry of a DNA vaccine into its intracellular site of action. The TriGrid has been utilized in >25 clinical studies, including randomized comparative studies demonstrating that administration of DNA vaccines with the TriGrid device significantly enhanced immune responses to the vaccines compared to conventional injection. A Phase 1 study using the TriGrid to deliver GX-188E in patients with high grade cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN), a precancerous stage of cervical cancer, showed promising results with GX-188E demonstrating the ability to induce a tumor-specific immune response with evidence of lesion clearance (Nat Commun. 2014 Oct 30; 5: 5317).

Immuno-oncology is a rapidly evolving field of medicine designed to improve the ability of a patient’s immune system to detect and destroy tumors. The study has been initiated in Korea with plans to enroll up to 46 patients and was recently announced by Genexine.

Robert Bernard, Ichor Founder and CEO, stated, "Ichor’s TriGrid Delivery System is a platform technology used by an increasing number of Ichor partners for clinical delivery of their DNA vaccines where T-cell generation is a critical aspect of the prescribed immunotherapy. We are pleased through our Genexine partnership to expand TriGrid’s use into additional areas of immuno-oncology around the world."

On August 21, 2018 Imago BioSciences, a clinical-stage pharmaceutical company developing novel anti-cancer therapies, reported that the Phase 1/2a clinical trial of IMG-7289 for the treatment of high-risk acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and high-risk myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) has fully enrolled at 45 patients (Press release, Imago BioSciences, AUG 21, 2018, View Source [SID1234529013]). This study assessed the safety, pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics and anti-neoplastic activity of IMG-7289, an inhibitor of the epigenetic enzyme lysine-specific demethylase 1.

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"We are extremely grateful to have worked with terrific investigators and staff that enrolled and cared for a population of patients in great need of therapeutic options," said Hugh Young Rienhoff, Jr. M.D., Imago’s Chief Executive Officer. "This study generated a wealth of knowledge about the pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and safety profile of our LSD1 inhibitor IMG-7289 as a single agent and in combination with ATRA. This study provides very clear guidance on how to use IMG-7289 at a variety of doses and in a variety of indications."

Upon the successful completion of the Phase 1 multiple ascending dose portion of the trial assessing IMG-7289 as a single agent, the study progressed into the Phase 2a expansion arm which evaluated the combination treatment regimen of IMG-7289 plus ATRA for extended dosing durations. Treatment of the final 2a expansion cohort remains ongoing.

About IMG-7289

IMG-7289 is a small molecule developed by Imago BioSciences that inhibits lysine-specific demethylase 1 (LSD1 or KDM1A), an enzyme regulating cytokine expression and shown to be vital in sustaining self-renewal in cancer stem/progenitor cells, particularly neoplastic bone marrow cells. In non-clinical studies, IMG-7289 demonstrated robust in vivo anti-tumor efficacy across a range of myeloid malignancies and models of myeloproliferative neoplasms as a single agent and in combination with other therapeutic agents. IMG-7289 also shows activity against solid tumors in combination with other agents in non-clinical models. IMG-7289 is an investigational agent currently being evaluated in a second Phase 1/2a clinical trial in high-risk myelofibrosis patients aged 18 or older is currently enrolling patients in both United States and Australia. (www.clinicaltrials.gov Identifier NCT03136185).

On August 21, 2018 Inovio Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ: INO) reported that the Company will participate in the following upcoming investment conferences (Press release, Inovio, AUG 21, 2018, View Source [SID1234529012]):

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Rodman and Renshaw 20th Annual Global Investment Conference, sponsored by H.C. Wainwright & Co., LLC
Presentation
Dr. J. Joseph Kim, President & CEO
September 5, 2018, 10:25 AM ET
New York, NY

Citi’s 13th Annual Biotech Conference
1×1 meetings only
September 6, 2018
Boston, MA

Cantor Fitzgerald 2018 Global Healthcare Conference
Presentation
Dr. J. Joseph Kim, President & CEO
October 2, 2018, 10:55 AM ET
New York, NY

Live and archived versions of the presentations will be available through the Inovio Investor Relations Events page at View Source

On August 21, 2018 Aclaris Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ:ACRS), a dermatologist-led biopharmaceutical company focused on identifying, developing, and commercializing innovative therapies to address significant unmet needs in aesthetic and medical dermatology and immunology, reported a publication in the journal Cancer Research (Press release, Aclaris Therapeutics, AUG 21, 2018, View Source [SID1234529011]).

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The title of the article is: "Inhibition of the stromal p38MAPK/MK2 pathway limits breast cancer metastases and chemotherapy-induced bone loss."

ATI-450, an investigational drug, is a selective inhibitor of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase-activated protein kinase 2 (p38MAPK/MK2) interface and an attractive candidate for stromal-targeted therapy. Levels of p38MAPKα expressed by a tumor and the surrounding stromal cells correlate with poor prognosis. In addition, p38MAPK signaling plays a key role in regulating osteoclast differentiation. In this paper, mouse models were utilized to explore the stromal inhibition of p38MAPK/MK2 pathway with oral ATI-450 in limiting breast cancer metastasis and protecting against bone loss, a major comorbidity of breast cancer.

Key Preclinical findings:

Pharmacologically targeting the stromal p38MAPK/MK2 pathway limits breast cancer metastasis, preserves bone quality, and extends survival.
The role of the stromal compartment in tumor progression is strongly illustrated in breast cancer bone metastases, where the stromal compartment supports tumor growth, albeit through poorly defined mechanisms.
p38MAPKα is frequently expressed in tumor cells and surrounding stromal cells, and its expression levels correlate with poor prognosis. This observation led the authors to investigate whether inhibiting the p38MAPKα pathway could reduce breast cancer metastases in a clinically relevant model.
Orally administered ATI-450 limited outgrowth of metastatic breast cancer cells in the bone and visceral organs.
This effect was primarily mediated by p38MAPKα-MK2 pathway inhibition within the stromal compartment. Beyond limiting metastatic tumor growth, ATI-450 reduced tumor-associated and chemotherapy-induced bone loss, a serious comorbidity that greatly diminishes quality of life for cancer patients.
These data: a) support a central role for stromal-derived factors in tumor progression; and (b) identify the p38MAPK-MK2 pathway as a promising therapeutic target for treating metastatic disease and preventing chemotherapy- and tumor-induced bone loss.
Several studies have shown that the stroma plays a significant role in tumor progression, thereby establishing a rationale for developing stroma-targeted anti-tumor therapies. The findings of Dr. Stewart and her colleagues suggest that stromal-targeted therapies have the potential to provide durable responses, help circumvent drug resistance, and synergize with tumor-targeted therapies.

This study was carried out by the laboratory of Sheila Stewart, Ph.D., at the Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis in collaboration with Aclaris Therapeutics, Inc.

The article is available at View Source and will appear in print form in the future.

On August 21, 2018 AstraZeneca reported that the Japanese Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (MHLW) has approved Tagrisso (osimertinib) for the 1st-line treatment of patients with inoperable or recurrent epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutation-positive non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), following priority review (Press release, AstraZeneca, AUG 21, 2018, View Source [SID1234529010]). The approval is based on results from the global Phase III FLAURA trial which included Japanese patients and which were published in the New England Journal of Medicine.

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Dave Fredrickson, Executive Vice President, Head of the Oncology Business Unit, said: "Tagrisso is already approved in Japan for the treatment of patients with EGFR T790M mutation-positive inoperable or recurrent NSCLC that is resistant to existing 1st-line EGFR-inhibitor medicines. Today’s approval moves the use of Tagrisso to the 1st-line setting, replacing older medicines which, given the high prevalence of the EGFR mutation in Japan, offers an important new treatment option for these patients."

The FLAURA trial compared Tagrisso to current 1st-line EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs), erlotinib or gefitinib in previously-untreated patients with locally-advanced or metastatic EGFR-mutated (EGFRm) NSCLC. In the trial, Tagrisso demonstrated superior progression-free survival (PFS) of 18.9 months compared with 10.2 months for the comparator arm (see table below), and this benefit was consistent across all subgroups including in patients with or without central nervous system (CNS) metastases, an important benefit for lung cancer patients.

FLAURA trial efficacy results according to investigator assessment

Safety data for Tagrisso in the FLAURA trial were in line with those observed in prior clinical trials. Tagrisso was generally well tolerated, with Grade 3 or higher adverse events (AEs) occurring in 34% of patients taking Tagrisso and 45% in the comparator arm. The most common adverse reactions in patients treated with Tagrisso were rash/acne (54.5%), diarrhoea (49.5%), dry skin/eczema (33.3%) and nail disorder including paronychia (32.6%) (at the time of supplementary approval).

Tagrisso has now received approval in 40 countries for the 1st-line treatment of patients with metastatic EGFRm NSCLC, including the US, Japan and in Europe. Other global health authority reviews and submissions are ongoing.

About EGFRm NSCLC

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death among both men and women, accounting for about one-fifth of all cancer deaths, more than breast, prostate and colorectal cancers combined. Lung cancer is broadly split into NSCLC and small cell lung cancer (SCLC), with 80-85% classified as NSCLC. Approximately 10-15% of NSCLC patients in the US and Europe, and 30-40% of patients in Asia have EGFRm NSCLC. These patients are particularly sensitive to treatment with EGFR-TKIs which block the cell-signalling pathways that drive the growth of tumour cells. Approximately 25% of patients with EGFRm NSCLC have brain metastases at diagnosis, increasing to approximately 40% within two years of diagnosis. The presence of brain metastases often reduces median survival to less than 8 months.

About Tagrisso

Tagrisso (osimertinib) is a third-generation, irreversible EGFR-TKI designed to inhibit both EGFR-sensitising and EGFR T790M-resistance mutations, with clinical activity against CNS metastases. Tagrisso 40mg and 80mg once-daily oral tablets have now received approval in 40 countries, including the US, Japan and in Europe, for 1st-line EGFRm advanced NSCLC, and more than 75 countries, including the US, Japan, China and in Europe, for 2nd-line use in patients with EGFR T790M mutation-positive advanced NSCLC. Tagrisso is also being developed in the adjuvant setting (ADAURA), in the locally-advanced unresectable setting (LAURA), and in combination with other treatments.

About the FLAURA trial

The FLAURA trial assessed the efficacy and safety of Tagrisso 80mg orally once daily vs. standard-of-care EGFR-TKIs (either erlotinib [150mg orally, once daily] or gefitinib [250mg orally, once daily]) in previously-untreated patients with locally-advanced or metastatic EGFRm NSCLC. The trial was double-blinded and randomised, with 556 patients across 29 countries.