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Algenpantucel-L immunotherapy in pancreatic adenocarcinoma

    Andrew L Coveler

    Department of Medicine/Division Oncology, University of Washington, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, 825 Eastlake Ave E, G4-833, Seattle, WA 98109-1023, USA

    ,
    Gabriela R Rossi

    NewLink Genetics, Ames, IA 50010, USA

    ,
    Nicholas N Vahanian

    NewLink Genetics, Ames, IA 50010, USA

    ,
    Charles Link

    NewLink Genetics, Ames, IA 50010, USA

    &
    E Gabriela Chiorean

    *Author for correspondence:

    E-mail Address: gchiorea@uw.edu

    Department of Medicine/Division Oncology, University of Washington, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, 825 Eastlake Ave E, G4-833, Seattle, WA 98109-1023, USA

    Published Online:https://doi.org/10.2217/imt.15.113

    Pancreatic adenocarcinoma is the 4th leading cause of cancer death in the USA and the EU. A minority of patients presents with surgically resectable and potentially curable disease, but among these, 80% are destined to relapse and overall survival rates with adjuvant chemotherapy average 24 months. Immunotherapy is a promising therapeutic option and a potential paradigm shift in the treatment of patients with pancreatic cancer, and may be particularly effective when used early in the disease course to prevent metastatic spread. Algenpantucel-L (HyperAcute™ Pancreas, NewLink Genetics, Ames, IA, USA) is a whole-cell immunotherapy consisting of irradiated allogeneic pancreatic cancer cells genetically engineered to express the murine enzyme α-GT, which results in hyperacute rejection of the tumor cells with complement- and antibody-dependent cytotoxicity. Phase II clinical trial data has been encouraging, particularly for patients who demonstrated humoral immunologic responses. Here, we report preliminary results and biomarkers correlations with clinical activity of algenpantucel-L in pancreatic cancer.

    Papers of special note have been highlighted as: •• of considerable interest

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