Cytheris and Cancer Immunotherapy Trials Network (CITN) announce selection of recombinant interleukin-7 (CYT107) for initial studies at member institutions

18-May-2011 - France

Cytheris SA and the cancer Immunotherapy Trials Network (CITN), a new initiative in immunotherapy funded by the National Cancer Institute with its Central Operations and Statistical Center (COSC), announced the selection of recombinant human interleukin-7 (CYT107), the investigational multifunctional cytokine under development by Cytheris, as one of the first immunotherapeutic agents proposed for initial clinical trials at network institutions.

CYT107 was chosen from an initial list of more than 20 potential agents based on reviews conducted at a series of three NCI immunotherapy workshops held between 2007 and 2009 during which participants prioritized agents with a high potential to serve as immunotherapeutic drugs for cancer. Experienced immunotherapy investigators from the 27 CITN research institutions in the U.S. and Canada will now submit proposals for use of CYT107 as well as other agents that may be made available to the network through partnerships with industry and the National Cancer Institute.

"The selection of CYT107 for study in immunotherapy trials conducted by the outstanding investigators from CITN member sites is a clear recognition of the potential of this cytokine to play an important role in the development of new approaches to the treatment of various cancers," said Michel Morre, DVM, president and CEO of Cytheris. "We share the desire of all participants in the CITN program that this important NCI-sponsored initiative will lead to significant therapeutic advances that will be of direct and lasting benefit to the large and growing population of cancer patients."

"With the support of the National Cancer Institute, CITN has established a network of top academic immunologists to conduct multicenter research on promising new agents that boost patients' own immune systems to fight their cancer," said principal investigator Martin A. "Mac" Cheever, M.D., a member of the Hutchinson Center's Clinical Research Division and director of CITN. "Having selected CYT107 along with other promising molecules for testing in patients, we now look forward to conducting clinical studies that follow a pathway whose ultimate goal is to make effective immunotherapy agents broadly available for treatment of cancer."

https://www.bionity.com/en/news/132526/cytheris-and-cancer-immunotherapy-trials-network-citn-announce-selection-of-recombinant-interleukin-7-cyt107-for-initial-studies-at-member-institutions.html