Defence Therapeutics Inc. has recently concluded a pre-clinical trial showcasing the effectiveness of its ARM-002TM vaccine against pancreatic cancer. This groundbreaking research highlighted the vaccine’s promising therapeutic outcomes, particularly when paired with the anti-PD-1 immune-checkpoint inhibitor.
Pancreatic cancer is notorious in oncology due to its late detection and limited treatment options, making it a formidable challenge. Symptoms often arise after metastasis, categorizing pancreatic cancer as a ‘hard-to-treat’ form of the disease. Patients grappling with this diagnosis confront a narrow spectrum of treatment choices, necessitating innovative approaches such as immunotherapy.
Conventional treatments like surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy offer limited benefits and often entail significant complications. Even surgeries to remove the pancreas require lifelong medication to compensate for lost pancreatic functions. While chemotherapy can reduce tumor size, it frequently encounters resistance and relapse.
Immunotherapy emerges as a beacon of hope in the fight against pancreatic cancer, leveraging the body’s immune system to target cancer cells. This approach offers potential breakthroughs for patients who have exhausted traditional options.
In a recent pre-clinical study, Defence Therapeutics evaluated the ARM-002TM vaccine paired with an anti-PD-1 immune-checkpoint inhibitor in animals with established Pan02 tumors. The results were striking, with all treated animals surviving beyond 40 days, a milestone equivalent to nearly five human years. Additionally, tumor growth was significantly inhibited compared to other treatments, showcasing the potency of this vaccine combination.
Sébastien Plouffe, CEO and president of Defence Therapeutics, expressed optimism about their immunotherapy endeavors, emphasizing the versatility of their Accum® platform in developing innovative immune therapies for various indications. He highlighted the adaptability of their products, exemplified by the ARM-002TM vaccine’s efficacy in impairing the growth of solid T-cell lymphoma, melanoma, and now pancreatic cancer in pre-clinical studies.
The success of Defence Therapeutics’ pre-clinical trial represents a significant stride in combating pancreatic cancer. These promising results underscore the potential of immunotherapy in tackling the challenges posed by ‘hard-to-treat’ cancers like pancreatic cancer.
- : public
