NEW YORK, March 6, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — MiNK Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ: INKT) is a clinical stage pioneer in the discovery, development and commercialization of allogeneic, off-the-shelf, invariant natural killers. is a biopharmaceutical company. T (iNKT) cell therapy to treat cancer and other immune-mediated diseases today announces preclinical data for MiNK-215, an IL-15 armored FAP-targeted CAR-iNKT cell therapy, at the upcoming AACR meeting Announced. Held in San Diego, California from April 5th to 10th, 2024. MiNK-215 is an investigational IL-15 armored FAP-targeted CAR-iNKT cell therapy being studied in human organoid models as a new approach for patients with colorectal cancer (CRC) liver metastases.
The liver acts as an essential filter for foreign substances that enter the body through the intestinal tract and blocks cytotoxic T cell responses to foreign antigens. This includes tumor antigens present through liver metastases, as the liver shuts down anti-cancer T cell responses. As a result, liver metastases pose a significant challenge to current drug treatments, including immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs). iNKT cells are expected to overcome this immune barrier given their innate ability to reside in and migrate to the liver. The liver has the highest number of iNKT cells compared to other organs, and iNKT cells are attracted to CD1d-expressing cells, a cell type commonly found in the liver.
In a human organoid model of CRC with liver metastases, MiNK-215 potently enhanced tumor killing by T cells and was associated with depletion of immunosuppressive FAP-expressing stellate cells and increased CD8+ T cell infiltration. This allows the body to mount a much stronger T-cell response against liver metastases, which can be further enhanced by adding ICIs like Agenus’ botencilimab/valstilimab.
“Liver metastases, particularly in MSS-CRC, remain a significant challenge in cancer treatment and represent a situation in which new therapeutic approaches are urgently needed to improve patient outcomes.” said Dr. Mark van Dijk, Chief Scientific Officer of MiNK. “These first-of-its-kind data highlight the unique potential of iNKT cells to overcome the refractory liver microenvironment. We are proud to partner with Agenus on these innovative models that will help design clinical studies that can assess synergistic effects.”
Presentation details:
Summary title: MiNK-215, an IL-15 armored FAP-targeted CAR iNKT cell therapy, effectively treats a human organoid model of treatment-resistant MSS colorectal cancer (CRC) liver metastases
Summary number: 1331
Presenter: Shanmugarajan Krishnan
session: CAR-NK, NK Engager, and NK Modulator
Presentation session date and time: Monday, April 8, 2024, 9:00 AM – 12:30 PM PST
Data presented at the conference will be available for viewing in the publications section of the MiNK website (https://minktherapeutics.com/publications/) after the AACR conference.
References:
- Gu, X et al. Front Immunol. 2022
- Chen, Y., et al. Sermol Immunol. 2021
About MiNK Therapeutics
MiNK Therapeutics is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company pioneering the discovery, development, and commercialization of allogeneic invariant natural killer T (iNKT) cell therapies to treat cancer and other immune-mediated diseases. MiNK is driving a pipeline of native and next-generation engineered iNKT programs using a platform designed to facilitate scalable and reproducible manufacturing for off-the-shelf delivery. The company is headquartered in New York, New York. For more information, please visit https://minktherapeutics.com/ or @MiNK_iNKT. Information that we believe is important to investors will be posted regularly on our website and social media channels.
Forward-looking statements
This press release contains statements regarding MiNK-215’s therapeutic and curative potential, including MiNK-215’s mechanism of action, efficacy and safety, and preliminary or emerging safety status, as well as safe harbors under federal securities laws. Contains forward-looking statements made in accordance with applicable regulations. Line data includes preclinical data, a description of the anticipated benefits of MiNK-215, and clinical development plans and timelines. These forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially. These forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties, including the factors described in the Risk Factors section of our most recent Form 10-K, Form 10-Q, and S-1 Registration Statements filed with the SEC. be affected by. MiNK cautions investors not to place significant reliance on the forward-looking statements contained in this release. These statements speak only as of the date of this press release, and MiNK undertakes no obligation to update or revise them except to the extent required by law. All forward-looking statements are expressly qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement.
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