CEL-SCI Collaborators Present Data Suggesting That LEAPS Technology Has Ability to Modify Immune Response
STUDIES SUPPORTIVE OF ROLE THAT TECHNOLOGY CAN PLAY IN TREATMENT OF H1N1 HOSPITALIZED PATIENTS
VIENNA, Va., Nov. 9 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- CEL-SCI
Corporation (NYSE Amex: CVM) announced today that Dr. Kenneth S.
Rosenthal, Professor of Immunology and Microbiology of Northeastern
Ohio Universities College of Medicine and Pharmacy, reported on
work conducted in collaboration with scientists at the Cleveland
Clinic and CEL-SCI on CEL-SCI's LEAPS vaccine technology. The data
was presented at the 7th GTCbio Vaccine: "All Things Considered"
Conference in Crystal City, Virginia.
Working with LEAPS vaccines for herpes simplex virus, HIV,
rheumatoid arthritis and most recently, H1N1 influenza, the
scientists' studies show that LEAPS peptide immunogens can convert
precursor cells from mouse or humans to become dendritic cells
(DC), the cell that directs the subsequent immune response. These
DCs produce interleukin 12 (IL12p70), but without production of the
pro-inflammatory cytokines that promote symptoms of a cytokine
storm, such as tumor necrosis factor alpha or interleukin 1.
Immunization with a LEAPS-immunogen for herpes simplex virus
activates a protective T cell immune response against the virus in
mice while a LEAPS-immunogen for treatment of rheumatoid arthritis
(CEL-2000) reduces the production of the pro-inflammatory cytokines
to block the progression of disease in mouse models of rheumatoid
arthritis.
Dr. Rosenthal commented, "LEAPS immunogens are unique in their
ability to simultaneously produce and activate a specific type of
dendritic cell that can turn on or modulate antigen specific T cell
responses without generating the pro-inflammatory cytokines
associated with cytokine storm. The ability to activate the desired
immune response should make LEAPS immunogens inherently safe
vaccines. Finding of similar results for mouse and human cells in
our laboratory studies adds confidence that the effects in the body
will be the same in mice and man. "
Geert Kersten, CEO of CEL-SCI Corporation said: "We feel that
this new data is encouraging and supportive of our H1N1 treatment
for hospitalized patients where the goal is to produce a specific
anti H1N1 immune response that will steer the immune system towards
protection and away from a cytokine storm which may be responsible
for many patients' deaths."
CEL-SCI's L.E.A.P.S.(TM) (Ligand Epitope Antigen Presentation
System) technology allows the Company to direct an immune response
against specific disease epitopes. In the case of CEL-SCI's
investigational LEAPS-H1N1 treatment, this involves non-changing
regions of H1N1 Pandemic Flu, Avian Flu (H5N1), and the Spanish
Flu. This is intended to enable stimulation of the
specifically-needed immune responses, while avoiding the
administration of regions of H1N1, and other viruses, which may
exacerbate the problem of cytokine storm, which CEL-SCI scientists
believe may be involved in the death of some H1N1 patients.
The concept behind the L.E.A.P.S. technology is to directly
mimic cell/cell interactions on the T-cell surface with synthetic
peptides. The L.E.A.P.S. constructs containing the antigenic
disease epitope linked to a Immune / T-cell binding ligand (I/TCBL)
can be manufactured by peptide synthesis or by covalently linking
the two peptides. Depending upon the type of L.E.A.P.S. construct
and I/TCBL used, CEL-SCI is able to direct the outcome of the
immune response towards the development of T-cell function with
primarily effector T-cell functions (T Lymphocyte; helper/effector
T lymphocyte, type 1 or 2 [Th1 or Th2], cytotoxic [Tc] or
suppressor [Ts]). Therefore, it would appear that the L.E.A.P.S.
construct represents a chimeric peptide with bi-functional
behavior.
CEL-SCI Corporation is developing products that empower immune
defenses. Its lead product is Multikine® which is being readied
for a global Phase III trial in advanced primary head and neck
cancer. CEL-SCI is also developing a treatment for hospitalized
H1N1 patients using it's L.E.A.P.S. technology platform, and
expects to soon finish the validation of it's state-of-the-art
manufacturing facility in Maryland.
For more information, please visit www.cel-sci.com
When used in this report, the words "intends," "believes,"
"anticipated" and "expects" and similar expressions are intended to
identify forward-looking statements. Such statements are subject to
risks and uncertainties which could cause actual results to differ
materially from those projected. Factors that could cause or
contribute to such differences include, lack of regulatory
clearance to proceed with clinical trials, an inability to
duplicate the clinical results demonstrated in clinical studies
that have been completed or that are initiated in the future,
timely development of any potential products that can be shown to
be safe and effective, unwillingness of regulatory authorities to
engage in further regulatory dialogue, receiving necessary
regulatory approvals, difficulties in manufacturing any of the
Company's potential products, inability to raise the necessary
capital, and the risk factors set forth from time to time in
CEL-SCI Corporation's SEC filings, including but not limited to its
report on Form 10- K/A for the year ended September 30, 2008. The
Company undertakes no obligation to publicly release the result of
any revision to these forward-looking statements which may be made
to reflect the events or circumstances after the date hereof or to
reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.
Source: CEL-SCI Corporation
CONTACT: Gavin de Windt, CEL-SCI Corporation,
+1-703-506-9460
Web Site: http://www.cel-sci.com/
Posted: November 2009
