Defence Therapeutics Inc. has revealed the remarkable effectiveness of its next-generation ARMTM anti-cancer vaccine, known as ARM-002TM. This innovative vaccine has demonstrated its ability to combat established melanoma particularly well when paired with the anti-PD-1 immune-checkpoint inhibitor.
The cornerstone of Defence’s approach lies in reprogrammed mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs), which serve as the foundation for a state-of-the-art vaccination platform recognized for both its ease of manufacturing and therapeutic efficacy. By leveraging the proprietary AccuTOX® technology, Defence exploits the phenomenon of protein aggregation induction in reprogrammed MSCs, thereby activating the unfolded protein response—a pivotal cellular defense mechanism that eliminates harmful protein aggregates.
What sets the ARM-002TM vaccine apart is its enhanced potency and versatility. Compared to its predecessor, ARM-002TM requires significantly less protein—just one-tenth of the amount. This advancement was validated through experiments conducted both in vitro, using an antigen cross-presentation assay, and in vivo.
In vivo tests demonstrated that ARM-002TM, when pulsed with a tumor lysate concentration of 0.05 mg/ml, achieved results comparable to those obtained with a dosage of 0.5 mg/ml. Moreover, the vaccine exhibited consistent efficacy across male and female mice, with no observable adverse effects among the vaccinated subjects.
Sébastien Plouffe, CEO and President of Defence Therapeutics, explained, “Initially recognized for its ability to kill cancer cells, Defence’s AccuTOX® technology has revealed an additional dimension. At specific doses, AccuTOX® prompts the formation of protein aggregates when combined with tumor lysate. This process stimulates MSCs to degrade these intracellular complexes, leading to potent antigen presentation.”
Looking ahead, Defence is actively assessing the efficacy of the ARM-002TM vaccine against “hard-to-treat” cancers such as pancreatic, colon, and ovarian cancers. These findings will guide the selection of targeted indications for Phase I trials, highlighting the adaptability and versatility of the ARM-002TM anti-cancer vaccine.
- : public
