Using our virus-based platforms, we calibrate our treatments to each cancer that we target. These viruses have been genetically engineered to minimize impact on healthy tissue, while maximizing the patient’s immune response to fight the tumor.
Immunotherapy has transformed the way we treat cancer.
However, typically only 20 to 40% of patients completely respond to checkpoint inhibitors.
Poor response of the immune system to treatment is sustained by the ability of the tumor to disguise antigen presentation and to generate an immunosuppressive microenvironment.
Clinically Advanced Solid Tumor Immunotherapy
Our most advanced oncolytic viral immunotherapy candidate uses aglatimagene besadenovec, also known as CAN-2409, a replication-deficient adenovirus that delivers within infected cancer cells the herpes simplex virus thymidine kinase (HSV-tk) gene. HSV-tk is an enzyme that locally converts a co-administered small molecule prodrug (such as valacyclovir) into a toxic metabolite that is able to kill nearby cancer cells. The local intra-tumoral administration results in the release of tumor neoantigens in the microenvironment. These patient-specific neoantigens are recognized by the immune system. Once in circulation, activated immune cells can target distant metastases for broad anti-tumor activity. At the same time, the presence of the viral vector elicits a strong immunogenic response in the tumor microenvironment providing co-stimulation for incoming immune cells against the tumor antigens released locally. This dual mechanism of antigen unmasking and immune activation enables CAN-2409 to generate a powerful and lasting attack against many of the patient’s tumor-associated antigens, minimizing the possibility for antigen escape and tolerance development.
Because of its versatility, CAN-2409 has the potential to be used to treat a broad range of solid tumors. Synergistic activity with standard of care radiation therapy, surgery and some forms of chemotherapy has already been shown in a number of pre-clinical and clinical settings. Furthermore, CAN-2409 presents an extremely favorable tolerability profile. More than 700 patients have been dosed to date, demonstrating the potential for combination with other therapeutic strategies without inordinate concern of overlapping adverse events.
Candel is evaluating the effects of treatment with CAN-2409 for prostate, brain, lung and pancreatic cancers in clinical trials. For more information on our studies in the clinic, please visit our Clinical Trials page.
Novel Herpes Simplex Viral Vector
CAN-3110 is a herpes simplex virus engineered to enhance selective killing of malignant cells while sparing healthy normal neighboring cells. CAN-3110 is an HSV replication-competent oncolytic virus that can self-amplify within the tumor bed.
Candel is evaluating the effects of treatment with CAN-3110 for recurrent glioblastoma. For more information on this clinical study, please visit our Clinical Trials page.
