Scancell's Next-Gen Cancer Vaccine Shows Promise in Advanced Melanoma Trial
Scancell, a British biotech company, has announced promising results from its phase 2 clinical trial comparing two cancer vaccine candidates for advanced melanoma. The study, which evaluated SCIB1 and its next-generation counterpart iSCIB1+, has led the company to select iSCIB1+ for further development and a potential pivotal trial.
Trial Results and Candidate Selection
The phase 2 study enrolled patients with advanced melanoma, administering either SCIB1 or iSCIB1+ in combination with Bristol Myers Squibb's checkpoint inhibitors Opdivo and Yervoy. Both vaccine candidates are designed to stimulate the immune system against tumors, with iSCIB1+ being a modified version of SCIB1 intended to work in a broader range of melanoma patients.
Results from the trial showed similar safety and efficacy profiles for both candidates. The overall response rates in the first-line treatment cohorts were 68.4% for SCIB1 and 68.9% for iSCIB1+. Despite the comparable performance, Scancell has chosen to advance iSCIB1+ due to its wider applicability, with the potential to treat approximately 80% of patients compared to only 35% to 40% for SCIB1.
Comparative Analysis and Future Plans
Scancell conducted a cross-trial comparison, pooling data from SCIB1 and iSCIB1+ against Bristol Myers Squibb's CheckMate-067 study. After 22 months, the progression-free survival (PFS) rate in the pooled vaccine analysis was 69%, representing a more than 20 percentage point improvement over the historical control.
The company plans to publish additional data, including PFS and early overall survival results, in the fourth quarter of this year. Furthermore, data from a cohort of patients who received iSCIB1+ on an accelerated dosing schedule is expected by the end of the year.
Looking ahead, Scancell is preparing to initiate a phase 2b/3 trial of iSCIB1+ in patients with unresectable melanoma, contingent upon securing a partnership or financing. The biotech is also exploring the possibility of conducting a second study in patients with resectable tumors and evaluating the potential of iSCIB1+ as a preventive vaccine for at-risk groups.
References
- Scancell picks winner from phase 2 cancer vaccine face-off, choosing next-gen prospect for pivotal trial
Scancell has linked iSCIB1+ to a 69% response rate in advanced melanoma, leading the British biotech to advance the next-generation cancer vaccine candidate rather than its older sibling.
Explore Further
What are the next steps Scancell plans to take in securing a partnership or financing for the phase 2b/3 trial of iSCIB1+?
What is the potential market size for iSCIB1+ in treating unresectable melanoma?
What are the main competitors in the cancer vaccine market, particularly for advanced melanoma treatment?
What differentiates iSCIB1+ from other cancer vaccines currently in development or approved for melanoma?
What measures is Scancell taking to evaluate iSCIB1+ as a preventative vaccine for at-risk groups?