MAIA Biotechnology and Nationwide Children’s Hospital Announce Presentation of THIO’s Potency in Pediatric Brain Tumors at American Association of Cancer Research Annual Meeting
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Insights
The findings on THIO and ionizing radiation (IR) offer a significant advancement in the treatment of diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG), a pediatric brain cancer with a notably poor prognosis. The research underlines the potential of THIO as a telomere-targeting agent to sensitize these highly resistant cancer cells to radiation, thereby reducing cell proliferation. The stimulation of anti-tumor immunity through the STING pathway activation presents a dual approach, combining direct anticancer effects with immunotherapy.
From an oncology research perspective, this is a promising development given the limited treatment options for DIPG. The ability to target telomeres, which play a critical role in cellular aging and cancer cell immortality, could represent a paradigm shift in treatment strategies. Furthermore, the use of the STING pathway to potentially overcome tumor immunosuppression may enhance the efficacy of existing treatments and align with the current trend towards precision medicine in oncology.
MAIA Biotechnology's announcement is likely to have a positive impact on its market perception, particularly among investors interested in cutting-edge cancer therapies. The company's focus on pediatric high-grade gliomas, a market with unmet medical needs, positions it favorably in the biotech space. The acceptance of their research for presentation at the AACR Annual Meeting underscores the scientific community's interest in their work and may lead to increased visibility and potential partnerships.
Investors will be watching for further clinical development milestones and regulatory advancements that could affect MAIA's stock valuation. The success of THIO in clinical trials could lead to a breakthrough designation, which would expedite the development process and potentially lead to earlier market entry. However, investors should also consider the inherent risks of drug development, such as clinical trial failures or regulatory setbacks, which could impact the company's financial health and stock performance.
The activation of the STING pathway represents a novel immunotherapeutic approach to treating DIPG. The STING pathway is integral to the body's innate immune response and its activation could lead to the production of interferons and other cytokines that enhance the immune system's ability to target cancer cells. The potential for THIO and IR combination therapy to not only directly impact cancer cell proliferation but also to modulate the immune system provides a multifaceted strategy that could improve patient outcomes.
Given the current landscape of immunotherapy, which often struggles with the immunosuppressive microenvironment of high-grade gliomas, the research by MAIA Biotechnology may offer a new avenue for overcoming these challenges. If subsequent clinical trials confirm these findings, this could lead to a significant shift in the standard of care for DIPG patients and potentially other cancers with similar characteristics.
- THIO and ionizing radiation combination shown to significantly decrease cell proliferation and produce potent anticancer effects in highly aggressive, treatment-resistant childhood brain cancer
The research was conducted in collaboration with Nationwide Children's Hospital and led by Dr. Drissi. The study explored the combination of THIO and ionizing radiation (IR) treatments to induce direct anticancer effects and stimulate anti-tumor immunity in diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG).
DIPG, a very difficult-to-treat and high-risk childhood cancer, is a central nervous system (CNS) tumor that forms in the brainstem. Scientists from Nationwide Children’s Hospital and MAIA have shown that THIO synergistically sensitizes DIPG cells to ionizing radiation (IR), significantly decreasing cell proliferation.
“At the AACR Annual Meeting, we will present study results demonstrating the potential for THIO and IR combinational treatments to stimulate anti-tumor immunity through activation of the STING pathway, one of the key regulators of immune responses in a DIPG model,” said Sergei M. Gryaznov, PhD., MAIA’s Chief Scientific Officer. “Unfortunately, prognosis for DIPG is dismal with a survival rate of less than one year, and radiotherapy, the only standard of care for DIPG, extends survival by only a few months. Immunotherapy is emerging as a potential alternative. Novel therapies that activate the immune system while evading tumor immunosuppression are in high demand in the field of cancer research.”
“MAIA is excited to see that the results of our scientific collaborative work with the Nationwide Children’s Hospital were accepted for presentation at the AACR Annual Meeting, a gathering of many of the best minds in cancer research from institutions all over the world,” added Vlad Vitoc, M.D., CEO of MAIA.
MAIA’s presentation at the 2024 AACR Annual Meeting
Abstract #:
5108
Abstract title:
Immunomodulatory and Antitumor Effect of Radiation and Induced Telomere Damage to Treat Pediatric High-grade Gliomas
Authors:
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Banlanjo Umaru, Shiva Senthil Kumar (Center for Childhood Cancer Research, Nationwide Children's Hospital,
Columbus, OH ) -
Sergei M. Gryaznov (MAIA Biotechnology, Inc.,
Chicago, IL ) -
Rachid Drissi (Center for Childhood Cancer Research, Nationwide Children's Hospital,
Columbus, OH ; The Ohio State University College of Medicine,Columbus, OH )
Presenter:
Rachid Drissi
Session date and time:
Tuesday April 09, 2024, 09:00AM – 12:30PM (Section 43)
About THIO
THIO (6-thio-dG or 6-thio-2’-deoxyguanosine) is a first-in-class investigational telomere-targeting agent currently in clinical development to evaluate its activity in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC). Telomeres, along with the enzyme telomerase, play a fundamental role in the survival of cancer cells and their resistance to current therapies. The modified nucleoside 6-thio-2’-deoxyguanosine (THIO) induces telomerase-dependent telomeric DNA modification, DNA damage responses, and selective cancer cell death. THIO-damaged telomeric fragments accumulate in cytosolic micronuclei activating both innate (cGAS/STING) and adaptive (T-cell) immune responses. The sequential treatment with THIO followed by PD-(L)1 inhibitors resulted in profound and persistent tumor regression in advanced, in vivo cancer models by induction of cancer type–specific immune memory. THIO is presently developed as a second or later line of treatment for NSCLC for patients that have progressed beyond the standard-of-care regimen of existing checkpoint inhibitors.
About Nationwide Children’s Hospital
Named to the Top 10 Honor Roll on
About MAIA Biotechnology, Inc.
MAIA is a targeted therapy, immuno-oncology company focused on the development and commercialization of potential first-in-class drugs with novel mechanisms of action that are intended to meaningfully improve and extend the lives of people with cancer. Our lead program is THIO, a potential first-in-class cancer telomere targeting agent in clinical development for the treatment of NSCLC patients with telomerase-positive cancer cells. For more information, please visit www.maiabiotech.com.
Forward Looking Statements
MAIA cautions that all statements, other than statements of historical facts contained in this press release, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors that may cause our or our industry’s actual results, levels or activity, performance or achievements to be materially different from those anticipated by such statements. The use of words such as “may,” “might,” “will,” “should,” “could,” “expect,” “plan,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “project,” “intend,” “future,” “potential,” or “continue,” and other similar expressions are intended to identify forward looking statements. However, the absence of these words does not mean that statements are not forward-looking. For example, all statements we make regarding (i) the initiation, timing, cost, progress and results of our preclinical and clinical studies and our research and development programs, (ii) our ability to advance product candidates into, and successfully complete, clinical studies, (iii) the timing or likelihood of regulatory filings and approvals, (iv) our ability to develop, manufacture and commercialize our product candidates and to improve the manufacturing process, (v) the rate and degree of market acceptance of our product candidates, (vi) the size and growth potential of the markets for our product candidates and our ability to serve those markets, and (vii) our expectations regarding our ability to obtain and maintain intellectual property protection for our product candidates, are forward looking. All forward-looking statements are based on current estimates, assumptions and expectations by our management that, although we believe to be reasonable, are inherently uncertain. Any forward-looking statement expressing an expectation or belief as to future events is expressed in good faith and believed to be reasonable at the time such forward-looking statement is made. However, these statements are not guarantees of future events and are subject to risks and uncertainties and other factors beyond our control that may cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in any forward-looking statement. Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which it was made. We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law. In this release, unless the context requires otherwise, “MAIA,” “Company,” “we,” “our,” and “us” refers to MAIA Biotechnology, Inc. and its subsidiaries.
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Investor Relations Contact
+1 (872) 270-3518
ir@maiabiotech.com
Source: MAIA Biotechnology, Inc.
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