NEW YORK - MiNK Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ: INKT), a biopharmaceutical company focused on developing allogeneic invariant natural killer T (iNKT) cell therapies, has announced preclinical data suggesting that its investigational therapy, MiNK-215, may effectively treat liver metastases in colorectal cancer (CRC). The data will be presented at the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) Meeting scheduled for April 5-10, 2024, in San Diego, CA.
The study highlights the challenges faced in treating liver metastases, particularly in MSS-CRC, due to the liver's suppression of anti-cancer T cell responses. MiNK-215, designed as an IL-15 armored FAP-targeting CAR-iNKT cell therapy, has shown potential in enhancing tumor cell eradication in human organoid models of CRC liver metastases.
The therapy was associated with the depletion of immune suppressive FAP-expressing stellate cells and increased CD8+ T cell infiltration, allowing for a stronger T-cell response against liver metastases.
Dr. Marc van Dijk, Chief Scientific Officer at MiNK, commented on the significance of the findings, stating that the data underscore the unique potential of iNKT cells to overcome the refractory liver microenvironment. The company is collaborating with Agenus (NASDAQ:AGEN) to design clinical studies that can evaluate the synergy of allogeneic iNKT cells with Agenus's botensilimab/balstilimab to potentially expand benefits for patients.
The presentation details for the AACR Meeting are as follows: Abstract "MiNK-215, an IL-15 armored FAP-targeting CAR iNKT cell therapy, effectively treats human organoid models of treatment-refractory MSS colorectal cancer (CRC) liver metastases," Abstract Number: 1331, with Shanmugarajan Krishnan as the presenting author during the session on CAR-NK, NK Engagers, and NK Modulators on Monday, April 8, 2024.
Following the AACR Meeting, the data will be made available on the MiNK Therapeutics website. As a clinical-stage company, MiNK Therapeutics is advancing a pipeline of both native and next-generation engineered iNKT programs with a platform aimed at scalable and reproducible manufacturing for off-the-shelf delivery.
Investors are reminded that these findings are based on preclinical data, and the therapeutic efficacy and safety of MiNK-215 will require further investigation in clinical trials. This announcement is based on a press release statement, and forward-looking statements contained therein are subject to risks and uncertainties that could affect the actual outcomes.
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