Provectus Biopharmaceuticals announced the publication of significant preclinical research demonstrating that its investigational immunotherapy PV-10 induces immunogenic cell death in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) through a novel mechanism involving endoplasmic reticulum stress and apoptosis.
The study, conducted by Christine Chung, MD and her team at Moffitt Cancer Center in Tampa, Florida, was published in Molecular Cancer Therapeutics. The research evaluated intratumoral PV-10 in HNSCC models and revealed mechanistic findings that could support future clinical development for locally recurrent head and neck cancer.
Novel Mechanism of Action Revealed
The published research, titled "PV-10 triggers immunogenic cell death in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma via endoplasmic reticulum stress and apoptosis," represents a multi-year research effort funded by the Chung Lab at Moffitt. The findings provide new insights into how PV-10, formulated from Provectus's pharmaceutical-grade rose bengal sodium (RBS) active pharmaceutical ingredient, exerts its therapeutic effects.
"This important, multi-year research effort funded by the Chung Lab at Moffitt adds to our understanding of PV-10's mechanistic effects—specifically its ability to induce immunogenic cell death in HNSCC," said Dominic Rodrigues, President and Vice Chair of the Board of Directors of Provectus.
Clinical Development Pipeline
The mechanistic insights align with Provectus's broader immunotherapy platform development strategy. The company has a planned Phase 1 trial potentially later this year evaluating intratumoral PV-10 in pre-operative penile squamous cell carcinoma at Moffitt Cancer Center.
Rodrigues expressed gratitude for the research collaboration, stating, "We're deeply grateful to Dr. Chung and her Moffitt colleagues for their scientific rigor and dedication. Their work reflects the broader momentum building around our pharmaceutical-grade RBS platform."
Comprehensive Development Platform
Provectus Biopharmaceuticals is a clinical-stage biotechnology company developing immunotherapy medicines based on halogenated xanthenes, with Rose Bengal Sodium as its lead molecule. The company's medical science platform encompasses clinical development programs across multiple therapeutic areas including oncology, dermatology, and ophthalmology.
The platform also includes proof-of-concept in vivo programs in oncology, hematology, full-thickness cutaneous wound healing, and canine cancers, as well as in vitro discovery programs in infectious diseases, tissue regeneration and repair, and proprietary targets.
The publication of these mechanistic findings represents a significant step forward in understanding PV-10's therapeutic potential and could inform future clinical trial design for head and neck cancer applications.
