HyperAcute® Lung Cancer Immunotherapy
HyperAcute® Lung immunotherapy development status & plan
Our HyperAcute Lung cancer immunotherapy product candidate, or HyperAcute Lung, is being studied in a combined Phase 1/2 clinical trial that is fully enrolled with 54 patients for the treatment of refractory, recurrent or metastatic nonresectable non-small cell lung cancer, or NSCLC. This trial is being conducted at the National Cancer Institute, or NCI. HyperAcute Lung consists of a group of three separate allogeneic lung tumor cell lines that were modified to express the gene that makes alpha (1,3) galactosyl transferase, or α-GT. These three cell lines are representative of the three major types of NSCLC.
Market Opportunity
According to the American Cancer Society, lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related death in the United States. The NCI estimates that over 157,000 Americans will die of the disease in 2010, accounting for approximately 28% of all cancer deaths. Lung cancer is most often diagnosed at advanced stages when it is difficult to treat. According to the American Cancer Society, about 85% to 90% of lung cancers are classified as NSCLC. The remaining lung cancers are classified as small cell lung cancer. The American Cancer Society also reports that about 80% of NSCLC cases are detected when they have progressed to stages III or IV. A study published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology in 2004 states that the current expected overall survival for a nonresectable stage IIIB or IV NSCLC patient who has failed first line treatment is approximately eight months.