Novel cancer trial begins clinical trials

London-based biopharmaceutical company Autolus is undertaking a novel cancer trial targeting T-cells to treat multiple myeloma.

Partially-funded by an Innovate UK grant, the trial has reached its clinical stage, offering hope to people with multiple myeloma, which is the second most common blood cancer and currently has no cure.

Multiple myeloma sees malignant plasma cells accumulate in a patient’s bone marrow and produce abnormal proteins which can cause kidney problems, impairment of the immune system and further tumours to spread.

Using chimeric antigen receptor T-cell (CAR-T) therapy, the treatment, branded ‘living medicine’, involves genetically engineering a patient’s own immune cells to improve their cancer-fighting properties and then reinfusing these cells back into their bloodstream.

Atolls is using the study for its AUTO2 product, which uses a natural protein called APRIL ligand to target and bind with 2 cell receptors. Adding APRIL ligand as a surface protein to the patients T cells could improve the ability of the body’s own immune system to detect and kill cancer cells.

Dr Christian Itin, Autolus’ CEO, said: “Breaking the defence mechanisms of cancers against T-cells is key to unlocking the curative potential of CAR-T cell therapies. AUTO2 is a first example of Autolus’ approach to specifically re-programme the patient’s own T-cells to minimise the risk of the cancer cells escaping treatment. With the start of this study we have transitioned to a clinical stage company; an important step on our path to build a fully integrated autologous CAR-T cell company with a portfolio of differentiated therapies for the treatment of patients with cancer.”