KISIMA™ Cancer Vaccine
A modular, self-adjuvanting, protein-based cancer vaccine that has the potential to strengthen the capability of the patient’s immune system to recognize and kill tumor cells
KISIMA™ cancer vaccine: a self-adjuvanting, multi-antigenic, protein-based cancer vaccine
Our KISIMA™ cancer vaccine* is a modular, self-adjuvanting protein-based cancer vaccine that carries a multi-antigenic cargo tailor-made for the specific cancer targeted. It has the potential to strengthen the capability of the patient’s immune system to recognize and kill tumor cells.1
Clinical trial (combination therapy): KISIMA™ cancer vaccine (ATP150/ATP152) is being investigated in combination with VSV-GP154 and ezabenlimab in patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC).2
*This is an investigational compound and has not been approved. Its safety and efficacy have not been established.
About KISIMATM cancer vaccine
This cancer vaccine is based on the KISIMA® technology platform
Our cancer vaccine is a therapeutic chimeric recombinant protein vaccine that is based on the KISIMA® technology platform.1 The KISIMA® platform is engineered to induce an efficient immune response via activation of helper and cytotoxic T cells, and to promote immunologic memory.3
In order to induce a potent tumor-specific immune response, a therapeutic vaccine needs to stimulate multi-epitopic CD8+ cytotoxic T lymphocyte-mediated immunity, induce CD4+ helper T cells and promote immunologic memory.4 Our KISIMA™ cancer vaccine includes three components in a single fusion protein: first, a cell-penetrating peptide for antigen delivery; second, a multi-antigenic cargo that is tailored to raise an immune response against colorectal tumors; and third, a toll-like receptor (TLR) peptide agonist as an adjuvant.5
Functional components and targets of our KISIMA™ cancer vaccine3,5-7
Our cancer vaccine is based on the KISIMA® technology platform and includes three components that are designed to penetrate cells, raise a tumor-specific immune response and provide co-stimulatory signals.3
Adapted from Belnoue E, et al. JCI Insight 2019;4(11):e127305.
ASCL2, Achaete-scute complex homolog 2; CEA, carcinoembryonic antigen; TLR, toll-like receptor.
Mechanism of action
The KISIMA™ cancer vaccine is engineered to induce an efficient immune response and promote immunologic memory via the activation of cytotoxic T cells and helper T cells.1,4,7
The cell-penetrating peptide facilitates the delivery of the vaccine into antigen-presenting cells, such as dendritic cells
The TLR component induces the upregulation of costimulatory molecules, activating dendritic cells
Cancer-specific antigens are processed, and the presentation of the CRC-specific multi-antigenic domain activates antigen-specific CD8+ and CD4+ T cells
CD8+ cytotoxic T cells become primed and educated to recognize and target tumor cells, while CD4+ helper T cells are triggered to release cytokines
Cytokine release from T cells, as well as dendritic cells, leads to a cytotoxic T-cell response
Protein-based immunotherapeutic cancer vaccine mechanism of action1,4,7
CPP, cell-penetrating peptide; MAD, multiple antigenic domain; MHC, major histocompatibility complex; TCR, T-cell receptor; TLRag, toll-like receptor peptide agonist.
Combination therapy
Combination with PD-1 blockade has been shown to have an additive effect and to significantly increase the efficacy of the KISIMA™ cancer vaccine in vivo.7 T-cell infiltration is enhanced, which could sensitize PD-1-resistant tumors (which have been shown to have limited immune infiltration) to checkpoint inhibitors.3
Watch the KISIMA™ cancer vaccine mechanism of action animation
Clinical development
Our KISIMA™ cancer vaccine (ATP150/ATP152) is currently being investigated as a heterologous prime-boost in combination with VSV-GP154 and ezabenlimab in patients with PDAC.2
KISIMA™ cancer vaccine clinical trial
Trial number | Phase | Treatment | Patient population | Status |
---|---|---|---|---|
NCT05846516 (KISIMA-02)2 | I | KISIMA™ cancer vaccine (ATP150/ATP152), VSV-GP154, ezabenlimab (PD-1 inhibitor) | PDAC | Recruiting |
PDAC, pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma.
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Boehringer Ingelheim. Press release. https://www.boehringer-ingelheim.com/press-release/acquisition-amal-therapeutics (Accessed: August 2023).
ClinicalTrials.gov. NCT05846516. https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT05846516 (Accessed: February 2024).
Belnoue E, et al. JCI Insight. 2019;4(11):e127305.
AMAL Therapeutics. Therapeutic Vaccines. http://amaltherapeutics.com/science/therapeutic-vaccines/ (Accessed: February 2024).
Lenz HJ, et al. Presented at: American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting; 2022; April 8–13. New Orleans.
Kopetz S, et al. Presented at: European Society for Medical Oncology World Congress on Gastrointestinal Cancer 2021; 2021; Jun 30–July 3.
Boehringer Ingelheim. Data on file.