STEAP1 CAR for metastatic prostate cancer

Business Opportunity

This is an attractive target as it is associated with tumor invasiveness and progression, and apart from the non-vital prostate gland, only expressed at low levels in normal tissues. Recent and ongoing trials have shown tolerability and some efficacy of STEAP1 targeting antibody-based agents. The scientific group has accomplished preclinical validation experiments and demonstrated in vivo efficacy in three mouse models. A protocol for clinical grade CAR T production is being developed. Inven2 AS seeks out-licensing of the IP or partners for entering clinical phase I/II. The scientific group are also developing p95HER2 CARs for metastatic breast cancer.

Technology Description

The specificity and functionality of STEAP1 CAR T cells has been shown in in vitro and in vivo. An optimized CAR construct called JK11 has been selected as lead candidate. The JK11 STEAP1 CAR has documented efficacy in three xenograft mouse models of human cancer, representing local or metastatic prostate cancer, and in a Ewing sarcoma mouse model. No weight loss or other signs of toxicity has been detected in the mouse models.

Fig. 1: Mouse models of local and metastatic prostate cancer: The human tumors grew readily in mice treated with control T cells (NT or CD19 CAR T), but were effectively inhibited in mice treated with STEAP1 CAR T cells. The CAR T effect was STEAP1-specific and not present for C11 (22RV1 tumor line where STEAP1 is knocked out).

Intellectual Property

Patent applications are filed in US and EPO.