Introgen Therapeutics Reports Encouraging Phase I Trial Data for INGN 241 in Patients with Solid Tumors

Strategic Insights -

Introgen Therapeutics, Inc. has published data from a phase I trial of INGN 241, a novel cancer therapy, in patients with solid tumors. The trial demonstrated that direct injection of INGN 241 induced programmed cell death in 100% of the tumors treated, even in patients who had failed prior therapy with other anti-cancer drugs. Notably, clinical responses were observed in 44% of the treated lesions, including complete and partial responses in two patients with melanoma.

Key Takeaways:

  • INGN 241, a gene therapy using adenovector technology, was administered to 22 patients with advanced solid tumors, resulting in 100% tumor cell death.
  • Clinical responses were observed in 44% of treated lesions, with complete and partial responses in two patients with melanoma.
  • The treatment was well-tolerated, with no maximum tolerated dose reached.
  • Immune activation was noted in patients with objective clinical responses, along with molecular changes that mirrored preclinical studies.
  • MDA-7 protein, the active component of INGN 241, has multiple anti-cancer effects, including inducing programmed cell death and stimulating an immune response.
  • Introgen Therapeutics holds an exclusive worldwide license for the MDA-7 gene from Corixa Corporation.

Statistics:

  • 22 patients with advanced solid tumors were treated in the phase I trial.
  • 100% of tumors treated with INGN 241 showed induced programmed cell death.
  • 44% of treated lesions showed clinical responses, including complete and partial responses in two patients with melanoma.
  • 15 different tumor types were treated, including melanoma, breast, colorectal, non-small cell lung cancer, and lymphoma.
  • 100% of patients had previously been treated for cancer, and the majority had received surgery, chemotherapy, or radiation therapy in addition to the failed prior therapy.

Sources:

  • Introgen Therapeutics, Inc.
  • Molecular Therapy (issue and publication date not specified)
  • Dr. Paul B. Fisher, Professor of Clinical Pathology at Columbia University
  • Corixa Corporation
  • Introgen Therapeutics, Inc. (exclusive worldwide license holder of the MDA-7 gene)
  • Health & Medicine Week editors (via NewsRx.com)