On January 12, 2021 OX2 Therapeutics, Inc., a privately held Minneapolis company, reported that they treated their first patient in a phase one human trial of a new treatment developed to combat recurrent high-grade brain tumors (Press release, OX2 Therapeutics, JAN 12, 2021, View Source [SID1234573915]).

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"This is a first-of-its kind immunotherapy that works to treat one of the most aggressive and deadly cancers today," said Christopher Moertel, MD, OX2 Therapeutics, Inc. "Central nervous system cancers are the number one cause of cancer related mortality in children, and a major cause of morbidity and mortality in adults."

OX2 Therapeutics developed the first immune checkpoint peptide platform targeting the immune system to attack solid tumors. Focusing on high-grade gliomas, OX2 Therapeutics has been treating dogs diagnosed with spontaneous high-grade glioma in a canine clinical trial at the University of Minnesota, Veterinary hospital. "This is the first therapy Dr. Olin and I have used to significantly extend the life of dogs with high-grade gliomas with no adverse events," said G. Elisabeth Pluhar, DVM, PhD, director of canine brain tumor program.

The OX2 peptide, known as CD200AR-L, is a single peptide that has the potential to replace the toxic antibody therapies that are currently used to block immune checkpoints," stated Michael Olin, PhD, OX2 Therapeutics, Inc. "CD200AR-L provides a one-two punch in the fight against cancer through the activation of the immune system while simultaneously protecting it against tumor induced suppression allowing the immune system to both reach the cancer cells and then fight them."

The FDA approved the treatment for an adult phase one human trial in June 2020. OX2 Therapeutics treated their 1st patient January 6th in a phase one single center, open-label, dose-escalation clinical trial for recurrent glioblastoma under the direction of Elizabeth Neil, MD at the University of Minnesota. This will be followed by a pediatric trial for recurrent malignant brain tumors based on its safety and pharmacokinetic profile led by Emily Greengard, MD.

The phase one human trial of this potentially groundbreaking treatment is an important milestone for OX2 Therapeutics and the Brain Tumor Program at the Masonic Cancer Center, University of Minnesota.