PPHM UPDATE

Recent clinical data by PPHM suggests that combined Bavituximab - Anti PDL-1 therapies enhance immune responses.

Tumour cells has a layer of protein called phosphatidylserine (PS) which masks the tumour cells and inhibits their recognition by the immune system. Bavituximab binds to the PS therefore blocking it along with its immunosuppressive action, thus enhancing anti-tumour immune responses.

Dr Jeff T Hutchins, Vice President of preclinical research at PPHM, presented results of Bavituximab's performance in several preclinical and clinical studies.

Tumours develop strategies to evade its detection by the immune system, creating an immunosuppresive microenvironment that allows them to survive and proliferate. Bavituximab acts to disrupt the tumours' immunosuppresive strategies while enhancing immune activity against tumours. Bavituximab induces an increase in tumour infiltrating CD8+ T cells (cytotoxic T cells) and cytokines, while decrease the levels of macrophages and myeloid cells that allows tumours to remain undetected by the immune system.

One of PPHM's studies showed that patients with low PD-L1 or PD-1 expression on infiltrating tumour immune cells exhibited enhanced immune activation after Bavituximab administration. Using animal models of of multiple tumour types, researchers found that combining Bavituximab with anti PD-1 antibodies allowed complete tumour regression in some cases.

This goes to show the importance of Bavituximab as an anti PS targeting agent and it is now wonder that MSK (Memorial Sloan Kettering ) and AZN (Astrazeneca) are now working in collaboration with PPHM.

On another front, Starpharma is developing an enhanced form of Docetexal known as DEP Docetaxel. In preclinical studies, DEP has shown to have substantially better afficacy and lower toxicity.

For the uninitiated, PPHM is undergoing a Phase III Sunrise Trial combining Bavituximab and Docetaxel and incidently, AZN has just signed a deal with Starpharma on the continued development of DEP.

AZN signing a deal with Starpharma and PPHM seems to suggest that AZN is pursuing on all angles in the treatment of tumours.

My disclosure: I own shares of PPHM