Inactivated tumor cells and capsules – a combined immunotherapy against cancer

Despite major progress in cancer treatment, many patients with advanced solid tumors lack effective therapy. Available cancer vaccines often cannot simultaneously provide a wide range of tumor-specific antigens as well as a very strong adjuvant signal to efficiently trigger the immune system. Rémi Vernet, Eugenio Fernandez, and Nicolas Mach wanted to change this dilemma and developed a personalized cancer vaccine which combines these two unmet needs: tumor-specific antigens and strong immunostimulatory signals.

In a first step, they inactivated tumor cells from the patients to obtain cancer-specific antigen targets. The antigen was combined with biocompatible capsules containing genetically engineered cells which continuously release granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor. This factor emerged as one of the most potent adjuvants in generating anti-tumor immunity. The pre-clinical model confirmed that this combination, called MVX-ONCO-1, created the optimal conditions to enable effective antigen presentation and immune activation.  

Next, the prize winners and their team conducted a clinical single-arm study with 34 patients with advanced refractory solid tumors. MVX-ONCO-1 was applied through six immunizations over nine weeks. The vaccine comprised the irradiated autologous tumor cells combined with two macrocapsules containing the cells engineered to produce the stimulating factor. More than half of the patients with advanced cancers showed signs of clinical benefits, including partial response, stable disease, and prolonged survival. Furthermore, MVX-ONCO-1 was safe and well tolerated.

This is the first-in-human personalized cancer immunotherapy that combines a patient’s irradiated tumor cells with encapsulated cells releasing macrophage stimulating factor. The innovative approach addresses tumor heterogeneity by utilizing each patient's unique antigenic profile. It is an important step on the way to individualized cancer vaccines and future combination therapies.