Treatment of Pediatric Brain Tumor, DIPG, with Oncolytic Adenovirus DNX-2401 to be Presented at the 2018 International Symposium for Pediatric Neuro-Oncology

HOUSTON, July 2, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- DNAtrix, a leader in oncolytic virus immunotherapies for cancer, announced today that Sonia Tejada, MD, PhD, neurosurgeon and investigator at Clínica Universidad de Navarra, will present updated clinical data from an ongoing trial of its oncolytic virus DNX-2401 (tasadenoturev) for pediatric diffuse midline gliomas. The data were selected for oral presentation at the Biennial International Symposium for Pediatric Neuro-Oncology taking place June 29 – July 3, 2018 in Denver, CO.

Diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG), also known as diffuse midline glioma, is a rare and highly aggressive infiltrative tumor of the brainstem with the worst prognosis of any pediatric cancer.  No effective treatments are available and novel treatment approaches are needed. The evaluation of oncolytic adenovirus, DNX-2401, in DIPG is based on data from clinical studies of DNX-2401 in adults with recurrent glioblastoma that demonstrate prolonged survival while maintaining a favorable safety profile compared to approved therapies.

Dr. Tejada will report that DNX-2401 can be administered safely to the pons in the brainstem of pediatric patients prior to radiotherapy, with minimal side effects. Safety and clinical activity will be reported to date. The presentation will also report results from preclinical studies demonstrating the synergistic antitumor activity of DNX-2401 and radiation in animal models of high grade glioma and DIPG.

"We have treated six pediatric DIPG patients with DNX-2401 and observed no grade 3 or 4 adverse events, indicating that this a safe therapy for pediatric patients with brain tumors. Based on these updated results, we intend to test DNX-2401 in a range of brain tumors that affect children," said Sonia Tejada, MD, PhD.

"DNX-2401 can be delivered safely via cannula directly into the pontine glioma, which circumvents the challenge of drugs failing to reach the target," said Frank Tufaro, PhD, CEO of DNAtrix. "Early results are encouraging."

Details of the presentation are as follows:

Oncolytic virus for pHGG and DIPGs: from the bench to the bedside

Abstract Session: DIPG/Diffuse Midline Glioma
Abstract Number: DIPG-17
Presenter: Sonia Tejada, MD, PhD
Date: Monday, July 2, 2018

To access the paper describing the Phase 1 study protocol, visit the Neurosurgery website: https://doi.org/10.1093/neuros/nyx507.

For more information about ongoing DNAtrix clinical studies, visit the ClinicalTrials.gov website: NCT03178032 (DNX-2401 for newly diagnosed pediatric diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma) and NCT02798406 (DNX-2401 + pembrolizumab for recurrent glioblastoma).

About DNX-2401 (Tasadenoturev)
DNX-2401 is an investigational oncolytic immunotherapy designed to treat cancer. DNX-2401 sets off a chain reaction of tumor cell killing by selectively replicating within cancer cells (but not normal cells), causing tumor destruction and further spread of the oncolytic virus to adjacent tumor cells. This process then triggers an immune response directed against the tumor. DNX-2401 has been well tolerated in patients with glioblastoma and survival has been prolonged compared to other therapies.

About DNAtrix
DNAtrix is a privately held, clinical stage, biotechnology company developing oncolytic virus immunotherapies for cancer. DNAtrix's lead product, DNX-2401, is a conditionally replicative oncolytic adenovirus currently being evaluated in clinical trials for adult and pediatric malignant gliomas, brain cancers for which there are no adequate treatments. The company is backed by Morningside Ventures and Mercury Fund and has been awarded a grant from the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas (CPRIT).  For more information, please visit the company website at www.dnatrix.com.

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DNAtrix
Imran Alibhai, PhD
SVP Business Development
[email protected]

SOURCE DNAtrix

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