OncoSec: Positive Phase II Data Of ImmunoPulse IL-12 In Merkel Cell Carcinoma

(RTTNews) - OncoSec Medical Inc (ONCS), a company developing DNA-based intratumoral cancer immunotherapies, on Sunday announced positive results from a Phase II trial demonstrating that its investigational therapy, ImmunoPulse IL-12, promotes tumor-specific, systemic anti-tumor immune responses in patients with Merkel cell carcinoma ("MCC)".

The findings were presented at the 2015 European Cancer Congress in Vienna, Austria.

In this Phase II study, 79% of patients showed an increase in IL-12 protein levels in tumor biopsy samples obtained approximately 22 days after treatment compared to baseline, indicating that ImmunoPulse IL-12 leads to successful DNA transfection and sustained protein expression within the tumor microenvironment.

ImmunoPulse IL-12 was well-tolerated, with no treatment-related adverse events above Grade 2 and no treatment-related serious adverse events. The most common adverse event was Grade 1 transient pain associated with the treatment procedure.