New preclinical data relating to the use of the company’s oncolytic immunotherapy platform for expressing a human IL-2 variant protein has been published in Frontiers in Immunology.

The paper was independently authored by researchers at the University of Helsinki and other leading institutions, together with TILT Biotherapeutics.

TILT-452

The paper describes a study with TILT-452, which is a novel tumor-selective oncolytic adenovirus encoding for an improved variant of IL-2, describes the company.  TILT-452 was used in vitro and in vivo in a model of immunosuppressive pancreatic cancer leading to substantial intratumoral immune modulation and potent antitumor responses.

TILT-452 is constructed using the same platform as TILT’s lead asset, TILT-123, which is a 5/3 chimeric serotype adenovirus armed with two human cytokines; TNF alpha and IL-2. TILT-123 has demonstrated a 100% response rate in pre-clinical cancer models in vivo, and it is currently in multiple Phase 1 clinical trials with interim data expected later this year, states the company.

“TILT-452 is a promising candidate for translation into clinical trials in human immunosuppressive solid tumors, such as pancreatic cancer and other difficult malignancies with unmet clinical need. We continue to progress this as part of our portfolio of next generation oncolytic viruses,” says TILT Biotherapeutics’ CEO, Akseli Hemminki.

Armed oncolytic adenoviruses

The heart of TILT’s approach revolves around the use of armed oncolytic adenoviruses, using cytokines and other molecules to boost the patient’s immune response to better enable it to find and destroy cancer cells.

The company is advancing its preclinical pipeline towards further clinical trials in 2023.

Image of 3d render of oncolytic adenovirus destroying cancer cells: iStock