The Wistar Institute

INOVIO's DNA-Encoded Monoclonal Antibodies Show Durable 72-Week Expression Without Immune Rejection in COVID-19 Trial

2 months ago

• INOVIO's Phase 1 trial demonstrates DNA-encoded monoclonal antibodies (DMAbs) maintained stable levels for 72 weeks in all participants, potentially overcoming the short half-life limitations of traditional antibody therapies. • The study showed no anti-drug antibody formation across approximately 1,000 blood samples, a significant advantage over other gene-based delivery approaches where immune rejection has been problematic. • Researchers believe this breakthrough technology could transform treatment approaches for infectious diseases, cancer, and metabolic disorders by enabling sustained therapeutic protein delivery without requiring repeated administration.

Protocol Amendment Expands Anixa's Ovarian Cancer CAR-T Trial: Second Dosing and New Cancer Types Added

3 months ago

• Anixa Biosciences and Moffitt Cancer Center receive approval for protocol amendment allowing second CAR-T doses in their ovarian cancer clinical trial, enhancing potential treatment benefits. • The amended protocol expands patient eligibility to include rare ovarian cancer types such as sex cord-stromal tumors and Sertoli Leydig cell tumors. • This development eliminates the need for individual IND approvals for second doses, streamlining the process for patients showing potential benefit from additional treatment.

UCSF Performs World's First OnQ Prostate-Assisted Robotic HIFU Procedure

3 months ago

• Cortechs.ai and EDAP TMS SA achieved a milestone with the first-ever OnQ Prostate-assisted Focal One Robotic HIFU procedure performed at UCSF Prostate Center. • UCLA researchers found that early radiation therapy side effects in prostate cancer patients may indicate higher risks of serious long-term urinary and bowel complications. • Vanderbilt researchers discovered that the inherited mutated WNT9B gene, crucial in embryonic prostate development, increases adult prostate cancer risk.

VRON-0200 Shows Promise in Phase 1b Trial for Chronic Hepatitis B Functional Cure

4 months ago

• Virion Therapeutics' Phase 1b trial of VRON-0200 has completed enrollment for the first two cohorts, involving 27 chronic hepatitis B patients on antiviral therapy. • VRON-0200, a T cell-based immunotherapy, demonstrated safety, tolerability, and anti-HBV activity in early data, even in patients with impaired HBV immunity. • Barinthus Bio's VTP-300, combined with low-dose nivolumab, shows encouraging results in Phase 2b trial, with 8 participants achieving HBsAg loss. • VTP-300 is designed to stimulate the immune system and encourage the production of de novo, disease-specific T cells, enabling long-term viral control.

Penn Medicine's Lynn Schuchter: Three Decades of Pioneering Melanoma Treatment and Research

5 months ago

• Dr. Lynn Schuchter has dedicated 30 years at Penn Medicine to advancing melanoma treatment, leading groundbreaking research in targeted therapies and immunotherapy approaches. • As director of the Tara Miller Melanoma Center and former division chief of hematology/oncology, Dr. Schuchter helped expand the faculty from 35 to 150 positions while maintaining focus on patient-centered care. • Under her leadership, significant breakthroughs were achieved in melanoma treatment, including the development of BRAF-targeted therapies and combination treatments that have dramatically improved patient outcomes.