PV-10 Immune Mechanism Data to Be Presented at the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting11:58am ET, 03/06/2014 - Business Wire
Moffitt Cancer Center Poster Presentation on April 6, 2014
KNOXVILLE, Tenn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Mar. 6, 2014-- Provectus Biopharmaceuticals, Inc. (OTCQB:PVCT, http://www.pvct.com), a development-stage oncology and dermatology biopharmaceutical company, announced that data will be presented by researchers from Moffitt Cancer Center in a poster presentation at the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting in San Diego, California.
The poster, based upon abstract #630, entitled "Induction of anti-melanoma immunity after intralesional ablative therapy," authored by Hao Liu, Krithika Kodumudi, Amy Weber, Amod A. Sarnaik and Shari Pilon-Thomas, will be presented on Sunday, April 6, 2014, from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. in Hall A-E, Poster Section 27.
The abstract reads:
Immunotherapeutic strategies incorporating intralesional (IL) ablative therapy to elicit a tumor specific immune response are under investigation as a non-surgical option to induce tumor regression of cutaneous neoplasms. Rose Bengal (RB) is a water-soluble xanthene dye that was originally used as an intravenous liver diagnostic and is in use by ophthalmologists to stain damaged cells in the eye. In murine models of breast cancer and melanoma, we have shown that IL injection of PV-10 (10% RB in saline solution) leads to ablation of injected tumors and regression of non-injected bystander tumors. In these models, increased anti-tumor T cell responses were measured, supporting the induction of systemic anti-tumor immunity after tumor ablation with PV-10. In our ongoing phase I clinical trial exploring melanoma regression in patients, IL PV-10 has led to a significant decrease of melA positive melanoma cells in the biopsies of both PV10-injected and non-injected lesions. This regression correlated with increased circulating CD3+T cells (p=0.03) in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC). T cells purified from PBMC from a melanoma patient produced increased IFN-gamma in response to autologous tumor after treatment with PV-10. Ex vivo models implemented to investigate this phenomenon indicate that the cytotoxicity induced by PV-10 is not apoptosis-dependent as evidenced by Annexin staining of melanoma cells following PV-10 treatment. PV-10 directly induced necrosis of melanoma cells at 50 uM, but was not toxic to healthy fibroblasts at the same dose. Further preclinical translational testing has shown that treatment of murine B16 cells with PV-10 leads to release of HMGB1, a soluble Damage Associated Molecule Pattern (DAMP) that is important for activation of dendritic cells (DCs). In the murine B16 melanoma model, there is a significant increase in the number of DCs infiltrating the tumor-draining lymph nodes after IL injection of PV-10. These findings suggest that PV-10 treatment leads to the release of DC activating factors and DC recruitment. Further studies to determine the role of PV-10 on T cell activation are ongoing. In sum, these clinical and preclinical results increase our understanding of the cytotoxic and immunological mechanisms that may play a role in systemic immunity induced by PV-10 tumor ablation.
Please see link:
http://www.abstractsonline.com/Plan/ViewAbstract.aspx?mID=3404&sKey=9a90b661-024e-4702-894a-d3f419f9925e&cKey=3ee0b61c-784a-4e56-8ec7-c9b3d868a8b6&mKey=6ffe1446-a164-476a-92e7-c26446874d93
Craig Dees, Ph.D., CEO of Provectus Pharmaceuticals said, "These data from the translational medicine team at Moffitt represent an important corroboration of last year’s mouse data in patients with recurrent locoregionally advanced melanoma. It is virtually unprecedented for a small molecule ablative agent like PV-10 to modulate a melanoma patient’s immune response. This healthy tissue sparing, tumor specific immune response coupled with rapid tumor burden reduction is a one-two punch against melanoma. Thanks to the innovative team at Moffitt, we can better explain the consistent “bystander response” (uninjected tumor regression) observed in our clinical studies. More data will follow with the poster.”
Provectus’s PV-10, a 10% solution of Rose Bengal, is currently being examined as a novel cancer therapeutic. It is designed to selectively target and destroy cancer cells without harming surrounding healthy tissue, significantly reducing potential for systemic side effects. In melanoma patients, intralesional (IL) injection of PV-10 has led to regression of injected lesions as well as distant metastases (i.e., bystander response).
About the American Association for Cancer Research
The AACR is the oldest and largest scientific organization in the world focused on every aspect of high-quality, innovative cancer research. Its reputation for scientific breadth and excellence attract the premier researchers in the field. The programs and services of the AACR foster the exchange of knowledge and new ideas among scientists dedicated to cancer research, provide training opportunities for the next generation of cancer researchers, and increase public understanding of cancer.
About Moffitt Cancer Center
Located in Tampa, Moffitt is one of only 41 National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Centers, a distinction that recognizes Moffitt’s excellence in research, its contributions to clinical trials, prevention and cancer control. Moffitt is the No. 1 cancer hospital in Florida and has been listed in U.S. News & World Report as one of “America’s Best Hospitals” for cancer since 1999. With more than 4,200 employees, Moffitt has an economic impact on the state of nearly $2 billion. For more information, visit MOFFITT.org, and follow the Moffitt momentum on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. |
