INO-3107 Shows Promise in Reducing Surgeries for Recurrent Respiratory Papillomatosis Patients
A recent retrospective study published in The Laryngoscope highlights the long-term benefits of INO-3107, a novel DNA immunotherapy developed by INOVIO Pharmaceuticals for treating Recurrent Respiratory Papillomatosis (RRP). RRP is a rare disease caused predominantly by HPV-6 and HPV-11, characterized by benign growths in the respiratory tract that can lead to severe complications, including airway obstruction. Traditional treatments often involve repeated surgical procedures, which can negatively impact the patient's quality of life.
In this study, researchers analyzed the surgery rates among patients who previously participated in a Phase 1/2 trial of INO-3107. The findings showed a notable increase in the overall response rate (ORR) from 72% after the initial year of treatment to 86% at the end of the second year. Furthermore, the complete response (CR) rate improved significantly, rising from 28% to 50%, suggesting that a growing number of patients experience a complete cessation of surgeries during the treatment period.
Significantly, the mean number of surgeries required dropped dramatically from 4.1 prior to treatment to just 0.9 by the end of the second year. These statistics indicate that INO-3107 not only reduces the number of required surgeries but may effectively alter the progression of RRP over time.
According to Dr. Aaron Friedman, an associate professor at the University of Cincinnati Medical Center and a key investigator in the trial, the results reveal a compelling trend: the majority of participants have maintained or even improved their surgical outcomes two years post-treatment. He expressed optimism that INO-3107 could establish a new standard of care for RRP.
INOVIO's CEO, Dr. Jacqueline Shea, emphasized the significance of reducing the number of surgeries needed to manage the disease and highlighted how every surgery carries its own risks, including potential damage to vocal cords. Given that even a single surgery can have lasting repercussions for patients, the reduction observed with INO-3107 is a substantial improvement in their treatment journey.
The retrospective study included 28 patients from the initial trial, with a median follow-up period of 2.8 years. The safety profile of INO-3107 was also positive, with no serious adverse events reported, reinforcing the findings that support its clinical use.
RRP affects around 1.8 per 100,000 adults annually in the U.S., and the persistent issues with surgical interventions mean that new therapeutic options like INO-3107 are vital for improving patient outcomes. The investigational drug has been granted both Orphan Drug and Breakthrough Therapy designations by the FDA, paving the way for accelerated approval based on this transformative data. Additionally, INOVIO's CELLECTRA delivery device has been awarded CE-marking in the EU, enhancing its viability for commercialization.
Given INOVIO's innovative approach to treating HPV-related diseases through DNA medicines, the company's ongoing developments in immunotherapy signify hope for many patients suffering from RRP. As further studies may provide additional insights, the future looks promising for INO-3107 as a leading treatment option in the management of recurrent respiratory papillomatosis.