Vaccinex announced new data on pepinemab’s mechanism of action in enhancing immune responses to checkpoint therapies in neoadjuvant head and neck cancer treatment. Dr. Conor Steuer will present these findings at the 2025 ASCO Annual Meeting on June 1st. The study investigated the formation of tertiary lymphoid structures (TLS), which are robust immune cell centers, within the tumor microenvironment.
This research is important because it explores a potential new avenue for treating head and neck cancer, particularly in cases where tumors are resistant to immunotherapy. Current standard treatments often involve harsh chemotherapy and radiation, significantly impacting patients’ quality of life. Pepinemab’s mechanism, focused on enhancing TLS formation and maturity, may offer a less toxic approach while improving treatment efficacy by converting immunologically “cold” tumors into responsive “hot” tumors.
The data presented at ASCO will focus on the mechanisms of neoadjuvant pepinemab treatment in resectable head and neck cancer. Preliminary results indicate that adding pepinemab to existing checkpoint inhibitors does not increase toxicity but enhances TLS maturity, correlating with improved pathologic response. This suggests the potential for pepinemab to transform immunologically cold, often HPV-negative, head and neck cancers into hot immune centers by promoting TLS development.
This research holds promise for advancing head and neck cancer treatment. If the observed correlation between TLS maturity and improved pathologic response translates to clinical benefit, pepinemab could become a crucial component of neoadjuvant therapy, potentially improving patient outcomes and minimizing the reliance on more toxic treatments. This could represent a significant shift in the treatment paradigm for head and neck cancer.
Jon Napitupulu is Director of Media Relations at The Clinical Trial Vanguard. Jon, a computer data scientist, focuses on the latest clinical trial industry news and trends.
