REQORSA Modulates In Vivo Immune Responses
Against Cancers
AUSTIN,
Texas, Nov. 5, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Genprex, Inc.
("Genprex" or the "Company") (NASDAQ: GNPX), a clinical-stage gene
therapy company focused on developing life-changing therapies for
patients with cancer and diabetes, today announced that its
research collaborators at Meharry Medical
College will present a poster detailing positive preclinical
data from a study of the Company's lead drug candidate, Reqorsa®
Gene Therapy (quaratusugene ozeplasmid) evaluating TUSC2's
role in modulating immune responses in cancer. The poster will be
presented at the 39th Annual Society for Immunotherapy
of Cancer Meeting being held November 6-10,
2024 in Houston, Texas.
"We are pleased to have our academic partner present their
findings on REQORSA at this prestigious cancer meeting, expanding
on REQORSA's ability to modulate immune responses in cancer," said
Ryan Confer, President and Chief
Executive Officer at Genprex. "We continue to bolster the growing
body of evidence supporting REQORSA's anti-tumor mechanisms,
highlighting its therapeutic potential to treat a variety of
cancers."
The Genprex-supported poster to be presented at the 2024 Society
for Immunotherapy of Cancer Annual Meeting:
Title: "TUSC2 Modulates Cancer Immune Responses"
Collaborator: Meharry Medical
College
In this study, researchers used comparative flow cytometry
analysis of splenocytes, lymph nodes cells, and tumor infiltrating
leucocytes (TILs) from TUSC2 Knock Out (KO) and TUSC2 Wild Type
(WT) mice. FACS analysis was focused on the differences in T reg,
Cytotoxic T cells and NK cells between the two mice groups. For
analysis of immune responses to tumors, researchers challenged two
groups of TUSC2 KO mice with syngeneic 129 Sv background
metastatic lung cancer 344SQ cells and injected one group with
TUSC2-expressing lipoparticles (REQORSA).
In the REQORSA supplemented group, the tumor growth was
diminished. A significant reduction in T reg and significant
increase in Cytotoxic T cells and NK cells were observed within
TILs. A significant increase in Granzyme B expression within
Cytotoxic T cells and NK cells was shown in REQORSA supplemented
mice compared to the control group.
This research expanded on previous studies showing that REQORSA
modulates immune cells within the Tumor Micro Environment.
REQORSA-dependent changes in immune cells correlated with the
reduction in tumor size in the experimental group, indicating that
REQORSA may carry anti-tumor potential even for individuals with
low overall TUSC levels in various tissues due to aging, chronic
inflammation, metabolic diseases, etc. This research documents that
REQORSA treatment has been shown to lead to increased immune
response against tumors in TUSC2 KO mice.
TUSC2 is the tumor suppressor gene used in REQORSA. REQORSA
consists of a TUSC2 gene expressing plasmid encapsulated in
non-viral lipid-based nanoparticles in a lipoplex
form (the Company's Oncoprex® Delivery System), which has a
positive charge. REQORSA is injected intravenously and specifically
targets cancer cells. REQORSA is designed to deliver the
functioning TUSC2 gene to negatively charged cancer cells while
minimizing uptake by normal tissue. Laboratory studies
conducted at MD Anderson show that the uptake of TUSC2 in tumor
cells in vitro after REQORSA treatment was 10 to 33 times
the uptake in normal cells.
Following the conference, the poster will be made available to
download on Genprex's website, where it can be reviewed in greater
detail.
About Genprex, Inc.
Genprex, Inc. is a clinical-stage
gene therapy company focused on developing life-changing therapies
for patients with cancer and diabetes. Genprex's technologies are
designed to administer disease-fighting genes to provide new
therapies for large patient populations with cancer and diabetes
who currently have limited treatment options. Genprex works with
world-class institutions and collaborators to develop drug
candidates to further its pipeline of gene therapies in order to
provide novel treatment approaches. Genprex's oncology program
utilizes its systemic, non-viral Oncoprex® Delivery System which
encapsulates the gene-expressing plasmids using lipid-based
nanoparticles in a lipoplex form. The resultant product is
administered intravenously, where it is taken up by tumor cells
that then express tumor suppressor proteins that were deficient in
the tumor. The Company's lead product candidate, Reqorsa® Gene
Therapy (quaratusugene ozeplasmid), is being evaluated in two
clinical trials as a treatment for NSCLC and SCLC. Each of
Genprex's lung cancer clinical programs has received a Fast Track
Designation from the FDA for the treatment of that patient
population, and Genprex's SCLC program has received an FDA Orphan
Drug Designation. Genprex's diabetes gene therapy approach is
comprised of a novel infusion process that uses an AAV vector to
deliver Pdx1 and MafA genes directly to the pancreas. In models of
Type 1 diabetes, GPX-002 transforms alpha cells in the pancreas
into functional beta-like cells, which can produce insulin but may
be distinct enough from beta cells to evade the body's immune
system. In a similar approach, GPX-002 for Type 2 diabetes, where
autoimmunity is not at play, is believed to rejuvenate and
replenish exhausted beta cells.
Interested investors and shareholders are encouraged to sign up
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LinkedIn.
Cautionary Language Concerning Forward-Looking
Statements
Statements contained in this press release
regarding matters that are not historical facts are
"forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private
Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking
statements are made on the basis of the current beliefs,
expectations and assumptions of management, are not guarantees of
performance and are subject to significant risks and uncertainty.
These forward-looking statements should, therefore, be considered
in light of various important factors, including those set forth in
Genprex's reports that it files from time to time with the
Securities and Exchange Commission and which you should review,
including those statements under "Item 1A – Risk Factors" in
Genprex's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended
December 31, 2023.
Because forward-looking statements are subject to risks and
uncertainties, actual results may differ materially from those
expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such
statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding:
REQORSA's therapeutic potential to treat a variety of cancers and
ability to modulate immune responses in cancer, such as increased
immune response against tumors in TUSC2 KO mice; Genprex's
ability to advance the clinical development, manufacturing and
commercialization of its product candidates in accordance with
projected timelines and specifications; the timing and success of
Genprex's clinical trials and regulatory approvals; the effect of
Genprex's product candidates, alone and in combination with other
therapies, on cancer and diabetes; the effects of any strategic
research and development prioritization initiatives, and any other
strategic alternatives or other efforts that Genprex takes or may
take in the future that are aimed at optimizing and re-focusing
Genprex's diabetes, oncology and/or other clinical development
programs including prioritization of resources, and the extent to
which Genprex is able to implement such efforts and initiatives
successfully to achieve the desired and intended results thereof;
Genprex's future growth and financial status, including Genprex's
ability to maintain compliance with the continued listing
requirements of The Nasdaq Capital Market and to continue as a
going concern and to obtain capital to meet its long-term liquidity
needs on acceptable terms, or at all; Genprex's commercial and
strategic partnerships, including those with its third party
vendors, suppliers and manufacturers and their ability to
successfully perform and scale up the manufacture of its product
candidates; and Genprex's intellectual property and licenses.
These forward-looking statements should not be relied upon as
predictions of future events and Genprex cannot assure you that the
events or circumstances discussed or reflected in these statements
will be achieved or will occur. If such forward-looking statements
prove to be inaccurate, the inaccuracy may be material. You should
not regard these statements as a representation or warranty by
Genprex or any other person that Genprex will achieve its
objectives and plans in any specified timeframe, or at all. You are
cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking
statements, which speak only as of the date of this press release.
Genprex disclaims any obligation to publicly update or release any
revisions to these forward-looking statements, whether as a result
of new information, future events or otherwise, after the date of
this press release or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated
events, except as required by law.
Genprex, Inc.
(877) 774-GNPX (4679)
GNPX Investor Relations
investors@genprex.com
GNPX Media Contact
Kalyn
Dabbs
media@genprex.com
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SOURCE Genprex, Inc.
