ICT-121 targets cancer stem cells and is expected to enter the clinic early next year.

Formatech will manufacture ImmunoCellular Therapeutics’ (IMUC) cancer stem cell (CSC) vaccine candidate, ICT-121, for an upcoming clinical trial. The Phase I study will target glioblastoma and is expected to begin early next year, pending clearance by the FDA.

“ICT-121 has shown its ability in preclinical studies to target and destroy cancer stem cells present in brain tumors, so we are excited to initiate this trial in the coming months,” says Manish Singh, Ph.D., president and CEO of IMUC. ICT-121 may have applicability to other cancer types, the company adds.

ICT-121 consists of a peptide that stimulates a cytotoxic T-lymphocyte response to CD133, which is generally overexpressed on the CSCs. While glioblastoma will be the initial target for ICT-121, CD133 is also overexpressed in colon, breast, liver and prostate cancers as well as multiple myeloma and melanoma.


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