On February 14, 2024 IN8bio, Inc. (NASDAQ: INAB), a leading clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing innovative gamma-delta T cell therapies, reported a publication in Frontiers in Immunology that reviews IN8bio’s novel approach for solid tumors, such as glioblastoma (GBM), an aggressive form of brain cancer (Press release, In8bio, FEB 14, 2024, View Source [SID1234640092]).

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Cellular therapies, particularly chimeric antigen receptor T cell therapies (CAR-T), have shown promise in hematologic malignancies but have faced significant challenges when applied to solid tumors like GBM. These obstacles include rapid tumor growth, antigen heterogeneity, and limited response to current therapies.

The publication, titled: "Adoptive cell therapy for high grade gliomas using simultaneous temozolomide and intracranial mgmt-modified γδ t cells following standard post-resection chemotherapy and radiotherapy: current strategy and future directions," explains the mechanism of action behind IN8bio’s novel therapeutic approach called DeltEx Drug Resistance Immunotherapy (DRI) and the current strategy and future directions for this treatment.

The INB-200 and INB-400 studies by IN8bio addresses the challenges towards targeting solid tumors by harnessing the innate immune functions of gamma-delta T cells. GBM cells constitutively express stress-associated NKG2D ligands (NKG2DL), which can be further upregulated through the DNA damage response (DDR) pathway triggered by alkylating agents like temozolomide (TMZ).

"We believe our results to date represent a significant advancement in the treatment of GBM. By combining standard chemotherapy with gamma-delta T cells genetically engineered to resist the lymphodepleting effects of chemotherapy, we are creating a synergistic effect that enhances the immune response against GBM while minimizing toxicity to healthy tissues," said Lawrence Lamb, Ph.D., Chief Scientific Officer and Co-Founder of IN8bio. "This new treatment may improve the survival and quality of life of patients with GBM by preventing tumor recurrence and enhancing the immune response to eliminate residual cancer cells."

The current standard of care for newly diagnosed GBM typically involves primary tumor resection followed by six weeks of chemoradiation therapy, succeeded by six cycles of monthly maintenance therapy with TMZ. This regimen typically yields a median progression-free survival (PFS) of 6 to 7 months and an overall survival (OS) ranging from 14 to 16 months. IN8bio‘s Phase 1 trial (INB-200) assessing the safety and efficacy of intracranial infusions of autologously derived DeltEx DRI gamma-delta T cells in addition to standard-of-care maintenance therapy suggests that the therapy is manageable with a possible improvement in PFS.

In the Phase 1 study, cells from the patient are isolated, expanded and modified prior to being delivered intracranially to the tumor cavity every month in combination with maintenance TMZ. The trial assesses three different dosing regimens from a single dose delivered on cycle 1, day 1 in Cohort 1, to three doses delivered on day 1 of cycles 1-3 in Cohort 2, to six doses delivered on day 1 of cycles 1-6 in Cohort 3. All patients receive 1×107 cells per dose. The trial aims to improve PFS by targeting residual cancer cells. Of the eight patients who have completed scheduled dosing, all have exceeded the median PFS expected with standard-of-care therapy alone.

IN8bio is also conducting a Phase 2 clinical trial of a genetically modified autologous gamma-delta T cell therapy (INB-400) targeting newly diagnosed GBM. The study will assess the safety, efficacy and tolerability of genetically modified DeltEx DRI cells at leading medical centers across the United States.

About INB-200
INB-200 is a genetically modified autologous DRI product candidate for the treatment of solid tumors. This novel platform utilizes genetic engineering to generate chemotherapy-resistant gamma delta T cells which can be administered concurrently with standard-of-care treatment in solid tumors. This is a powerful, synergistic treatment approach enabling gamma-delta T cells to persist in the presence of chemotherapy, and maintain their natural ability to recognize, engage and kill cancer cells.

INB-200 is the first genetically engineered gamma-delta T cell therapy to be administered to patients with solid tumors and our initial indication is in GBM.

About INB-400
INB-400 is IN8bio’s DeltEx autologous and allogeneic DRI technology. Allogeneic INB-400 will expand the application of DRI gamma-delta T cells into other solid tumor types through the development of allogeneic DeltEx DRI technology.