MVA-BN® PRO
Therapeutic prostate cancer vaccine candidate
MVA-BN® PRO is is designed to express sequences that
control immunity to PSA and Prostatic Acid Phosphatase (PAP). These
highly prostate-specific antigens have shown promise as tumor
targets when evaluated separately in clinical studies. PSA is the
target of the PROSTVAC™ immunotherapy program. The
concomitant targeting of two prevalent antigens to treat prostate
cancer is a distinctive feature of MVA-BN® PRO. It is
anticipated that this feature will confer superior cancer vaccine
efficacy and alleviate tumor immune evasion.
The dual vaccine properties of MVA-BN® PRO were verified in
preclinical studies that showed induction of broad and
comprehensive immune responses to both PSA and PAP following
administration of MVA-BN® PRO.
Based on the positive preclinical evaluation of MVA-BN® PRO,
a Phase I/II safety and tolerability study in 18 male patients with
non-metastatic hormone-insensitive prostate cancer has begun in the
US. Preliminary immune evaluation of T-cell responses have showed
vaccine-induced responses to both PSA and PAP. Most importantly,
treatment in this patient population also resulted in the induction
of T-cell responses to tumor antigens other than PSA and PAP. These
preliminary data are encouraging as it suggests that MVA-BN®
PRO-induced anti-PSA and PAP responses may have led to tumoricidal
activity.
MVA-BN® PRO clinical study data will form the basis for
further refinement of the development plan for this vaccine.
Bavarian Nordic expects to harmonize development of its two
prostate cancer therapeutics (PROSTVAC™ and MVA-BN® PRO).
A vaccine product incorporating the features of PROSTVAC™,
plus the safety of MVA priming and the dual antigens of the
MVA-BN® PRO approach should generate an improved product.
