Scancell, a U.K. spinout from the University of Nottingham, has completed recruitment for the Phase I trial of SCIB1, its therapeutic DNA vaccine for the treatment of melanoma. The company plans to begin a Phase II trial during April or May 2012 at the highest dose used in the Phase I study (4 mg). Results from the Phase II trial are expected by the end of 2013, according to MoneyWeek.
In the Phase I trial, which is still ongoing, the researchers are testing three dose levels of the vaccine in people with advanced (stage III/IV) melanoma in 5 centers in the U.K. in Nottingham, Manchester, Newcastle, Leeds and Southampton. All patients will get 5 doses of the vaccine and will be followed up for 6 months.
SCIB1 uses Scancell's ImmunoBody technology. The vaccine is made up of plasmid DNA (a small circular stretch of DNA) that codes for an antibody that includes an antigen found on melanoma cells (tyrosinase-related protein 2 [TRP2]) and two molecules that will help trigger an immune response. The vaccine is dosed into the muscle using an electroporation device. This is called the TriGrid Delivery System (IM-TDS) and uses an electrical pulse to get the DNA into the body.
- read the press release
- check out the article in MoneyWeek