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 combined with a viral vaccine.^1–3

The KISIMA® platform is engineered to induce an efficient immune response via activation of helper and cytotoxic T cells, and to promote immunologic memory.²

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 PDAC and other gastro-intestinal tumors; and third, a toll-like receptor (TLR) peptide agonist as an adjuvant.^4–8 

The heterologous prime boost cancer vaccine is also composed of VSV-GP154, a viral vaccine that contains the same multi-antigenic cargo.^3,8

Functional components and targets of our KISIMA® cancer vaccine^2,5,6

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.² 
 

The heterologous prime boost cancer vaccine (ATP150/ATP152/ATP162 and VSV-GP154) is being investigated in combination with ezabenlimab (BI 754091)* in patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC).³

KISIMA® cancer vaccine clinical trial

KISIMA® cancer vaccine 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.^1,3–8 

1. The cell-penetrating peptide facilitates the delivery of the vaccine into antigen-presenting cells, such as dendritic cells

2. The TLR component induces the upregulation of costimulatory molecules, activating dendritic cells

3. Cancer-specific antigens are processed, and the presentation of the PDAC and other gastrointestinal cancer-specific multi-antigenic domain activates antigen-specific CD8⁺ and CD4⁺ T cells

4. CD8⁺ cytotoxic T cells become primed and educated to recognize and target tumor cells, while CD4⁺ helper T cells are triggered to release cytokines

5. Cytokine release from T cells, as well as dendritic cells, leads to a cytotoxic T-cell response

Heterologous prime boost cancer vaccine mechanism of action^1,2,4−8

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. T-cell infiltration is enhanced, which could sensitize PD-1-resistant tumors (which have been shown to have limited immune infiltration) to checkpoint inhibitors.^2,7

*This is an investigational compound and has not been approved. Its safety and efficacy have not been established. 
CD4/8, cluster of differentiation 4/8; CPP, cell-penetrating peptide; MAD, multiple antigenic domain; MHC, major histocompatibility complex; PD-1, programmed cell death protein-1; PDAC, pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma; TCR, T-cell receptor; TLR, toll-like receptor; TLRag, toll-like receptor peptide agonist; VSV, vesicular stomatitis virus; VSV-GP154, vesicular stomatitis virus-glycoprotein 154.