Patients in the study achieved a 52% objective tumor response rate and 41% of patients were still alive one year after receiving the immunotherapy known as INGN 225. Historically, tumor responses to second-line chemotherapy are between 6% and 30% and most patients survive for less than six months. The data imply that INGN 225 immunotherapy can sensitize cancer cells to the effects of chemotherapy, restoring its effectiveness.
INGN 225 is a cancer vaccine containing the p53 gene. p53 is known to help restore normal cellular function and to promote programmed cell death in abnormal cells such as cancer cells, allowing tumors to die when treated with chemotherapy.
“Data from Introgen’s study in lung cancer patients, as well as other published studies, supports the novel approach of using a combination of immunotherapy and chemotherapy to treat cancer patients,” said Dr Dmitry Gabrilovich, of the H Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute.