Innovive acquires rights to cancer immunotherapeutic

Innovive anticipates commencing phase I trials in the first half of 2006 to study the compound in the treatment of acute myelogenous leukemia (AML), myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS), non small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and mesothelioma.

WT1 is expressed in most leukemias and in a variety of solid tumors. WT1 expression is a known indicator of poor outcome in acute leukemia.

The compound, INNO-305, is unique among WT1 peptide cancer immunotherapeutics because of its ability to stimulate CD8 and CD4 T-cells. It is believed that stimulating both types of T-cells may result in a more robust and ubiquitous immune response.

INNO-305 also utilizes heteroclitic technology in which the wild-type WT1 sequences are altered to improve the immunotherapeutic’s ability to activate T-cells.

“Myeloid leukemias respond to activated T-cells, either through bone marrow transplant or donor leukocyte infusion; therefore, we believe that an immunotherapeutic approach against a validated target in this setting holds great potential,” said Dr David Scheinberg, an inventor of the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center.