DNAtrix Collaborators Present Data on a Novel Oncolytic Adenovirus Expressing OX40 Ligand that Promotes Antitumor Immunity

HOUSTON, June 16, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- DNAtrix, Inc., a leader in oncolytic virus therapy, has announced that Juan Fueyo, M.D., professor in the Department of Neuro-Oncology and Director of the Brain Tumor Program at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center presented results on a novel oncolytic adenovirus, Delta-24-RGDOX, that enhances antitumor immunity by expressing the immune checkpoint co-stimulator OX40 ligand (OX40L). The data were presented at the 9^th International Conference on Oncolytic Virus Therapeutics this morning in Boston, MA.  The OX40L virus technology has been licensed exclusively to DNAtrix by MD Anderson. 

OX40 is a member of the tumor necrosis factor receptor superfamily, and interactions between OX40 and OX40L act as costimulatory signals for T-cell activation. The augmentation of this interaction enhances antitumor immunity. The oncolytic OX40L technology combines a replication-competent oncolytic virus with a potent immune-modulator, which could provide a novel "one-two punch" in the fight against cancer.

"Immune checkpoint blockade is one of the most promising approaches in cancer therapy," said Dr. Fueyo. "Our new data demonstrate that oncolytic adenoviruses, which carry immune co-stimulatory ligands may constitute a powerful new strategy for targeting immune checkpoints and therefore warrants the design of clinical trials in the near future." 

The backbone virus expressing OX40L is the same conditionally replicative oncolytic adenovirus (DNX-2401) that has shown considerable efficacy in clinical trials for glioblastoma.  "The possibility of enhancing antitumor immunity by delivering an armed, replicating adenovirus directly into the tumor is exciting," said Frank Tufaro, Ph.D., chief executive officer for DNAtrix.  "This approach could provide benefit to patients in terms of anti-cancer effectiveness while minimizing toxicity, in addition to an overall reduction in the cost and morbidity associated with multi-drug treatment.  Our goal is to aggressively move Delta-24-RGDOX into the clinic."

About DNAtrix
DNAtrix is a clinical stage biotechnology company headquartered in Houston, Texas. Its lead product, DNX-2401, is an oncolytic virotherapy that is being studied in clinical trials for recurrent glioblastoma.  The company is backed by Morningside Ventures, the 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 http://www.dnatrix.com.

Contact
Imran Alibhai, Ph.D.
DNAtrix, Inc.
[email protected]

SOURCE DNAtrix, Inc.

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