Jo Brewer – VJRegenMed

Targeting solid tumors: SPEAR T-cells & HLA-independent TCRs

admin_vjr_user — Sat, 03 Jul 2021 11:01:11 +0000

Jo Brewer, PhD, Adaptimmune, Philadelphia, PA, provides an overview of the specific peptide enhanced affinity receptor (SPEAR) T-cell platform, which involves genetically engineering T-cell receptors to enhance their ability to recognize specific peptide antigens, thus increasing the immune system’s ability to recognize and target cancer cells. This technology is currently being investigated in clinical trials for the treatment of a range of solid tumors, such as the Phase II SPEARHEAD-1 trial (NCT04044768) in patients with synovial sarcoma. A novel human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-independent T-cell receptor (TCR) platform is also currently in development, which would allow the targeting of tumor cells without the need for HLA subtyping. This interview took place during the Cell & Gene Meeting on the Mediterranean 2021 virtual conference.

SPEARHEAD-1: ADP-A2M4 in synovial sarcoma and MRCLS

admin_vjr_user — Sat, 03 Jul 2021 11:01:10 +0000

Jo Brewer, PhD, Adaptimmune, Philadelphia, PA, introduces the ongoing Phase II SPEARHEAD-1 trial (NCT04044768), assessing the efficacy and safety of ADP-A2M4 in patients with synovial sarcoma or myxoid/round cell liposarcoma (MRCLS). The ADP-A2M4 SPEAR T-cell therapy targets the MAGE- A4 antigen presented by HLA-A2+ patients. This interview took place during the Cell & Gene Meeting on the Mediterranean 2021 virtual conference.

SURPASS: evaluating the next-generation of SPEAR T-cell therapy

admin_vjr_user — Sat, 03 Jul 2021 11:01:08 +0000

Jo Brewer, PhD, Adaptimmune, Philadelphia, PA, describes the ongoing Phase I SURPASS trial (NCT04044859), which is assessing the safety and efficacy of ADP-A2M4CD8 in HLA-A2+ subjects with MAGE-A4 positive tumors. ADP-A2M4CD8 is a next-generation therapy and is differentiated from ADP-A2M4 therapy by the expression of a CD8-alpha co-receptor alongside the engineered TCR that targets MAGE-A4. This increases anti-tumor activity by leveraging CD4 cells into CD8+ killer or cytotoxic T-cells that target the tumor cells. In addition, the CD4 cells recruit other immune cells such as dendritic cells, which results in broader immune response to tackle the tumor. This interview took place during the Cell & Gene Meeting on the Mediterranean 2021 virtual conference.

Off-the-shelf iPSC therapies for solid tumors

admin_vjr_user — Sat, 03 Jul 2021 11:01:06 +0000

Jo Brewer, PhD, Adaptimmune, Philadelphia, PA, discusses the benefits of utilizing allogenic stem cell platforms over autologous approaches that involve the need for patients to undergo leukapheresis and a time-consuming cell manufacturing process, which is an issue in patients with late-stage cancer. Off-the-shelf allogeneic induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) platforms offer the potential for consistent, genetically engineered therapies that can be offered to patients more quickly. Adaptimmune’s allogeneic platform is being leveraged to develop off-the-shelf products that function in the same manner as their existing autologous products already being evaluated in clinical trials for solid tumors. This interview took place during the Cell & Gene Meeting on the Mediterranean 2021 virtual conference.

The potential of iPSCs in cell therapy

admin_vjr_user — Sat, 03 Jul 2021 09:00:53 +0000

Jo Brewer, PhD, Adaptimmune, Philadelphia, PA, discusses the exciting potential of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) in cell therapy given their ability to give rise to any cell type in the body and high proliferative capacity. Compared to autologous stem cell-derived products, the use of allogeneic iPSCs offer the ability to develop large supplies of genetically modified cells for a wide range of applications in a large number of patients. This interview took place during the Cell & Gene Meeting on the Mediterranean 2021 virtual conference.