Despite the substantial advances in medical technology, cancer remains a formidable foe with an alarming annual growth rate. According to the World Health Organization, there are more than 19.3 million new cancer cases each year, a number projected to rise to 29.5 million by 2040. This daunting escalation, coupled with the high cost of existing treatments, underscores the urgent necessity for new, cost-effective solutions in cancer care. Countless lives, families, and futures hinge on this global healthcare challenge, making it more than just a medical concern—it’s a human imperative.
One such company that is working on innovative and affordable solutions to a wide range of cancers is CytoMed Therapeutics (NASDAQ: GDTC).
Introduction to CytoMed
CytoMed Therapeutics Limited, a biopharmaceutical company headquartered in Singapore, is making waves in the field of cancer treatment. Spun out from A*STAR, Singapore’s national Agency for Science, Technology and Research, in March 2018, CytoMed is focused on harnessing its licensed proprietary, patent-pending technologies to create novel, cell-based immunotherapies for the treatment of a wide spectrum of human cancers. The company’s mission is to engineer and manufacture affordable off-the-shelf allogeneic cell-based cancer therapies to treat a broad spectrum of solid and blood cancers.
Unique Features of CytoMed
CytoMed stands out in the field of cancer therapeutics due to its unique approach to cell-based cancer treatments. The company’s cell therapy products are all allogeneic and made from healthy donor-derived blood as opposed to patient sourced cells and include CAR- gamma delta (γδ) T cells, γδ T cells, and iPSC-derived γδ NKT cells, each of which naturally expresses an array of built-in receptors to recognize cancers, both blood and solid tumors. This broad-spectrum approach to cancer targeting is one of the unique features that sets CytoMed apart from other companies in the field.
CytoMed’s CAR-T Cell Technology
CytoMed’s CAR-T cell technology is particularly noteworthy. CAR, or Chimeric Antigen Receptor, is a type of therapy that modifies patients’ T cells to fight cancer. CytoMed’s unique approach involves the use of healthy donor’s blood (rather than patient’s own blood) in what is termed allogeneic CAR- γδ T cells, which has just been approved this year for a Phase 1 clinical trial in Singapore with an established, reputable public hospital.
The company has developed a CAR construct to target NKG2DLs, a fusion of NKG2D protein and T-cell surface glycoprotein CD3 zeta which are expressed in many types of cancers. This has been used to enhance the anti-cancer potency of alpha beta T cells, demonstrating promising results in pre-clinical studies for the treatment of pancreatic cancer. There are data providing support for evaluating NKG2DL-targeting CAR in the context of γδ T cells.
CytoMed’s iPSC-Derived γδ NKT Cells
Another unique feature of CytoMed is their use of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) to generate therapeutic cells of various types. The company has successfully reprogrammed peripheral blood cells into iPSCs using a nonviral episomal method. These iPSCs are then used to generate a 2-in-1 synthetic hybrid cell comprising both NK cells and γδ T cells with their receptors. See videos at www.cytomed.sg.
The typical morphology of such generated iPSCs and iPSC-derived gamma delta NKT cells can be seen in Figures 14 and 15 below:
CytoMed’s γδ T Cells
CytoMed’s γδ T cells are another key aspect of their unique approach to cancer treatment. These cells naturally express an array of built-in receptors to recognize cancers, and their morphology and phenotype, which can be seen in Figure 20 below:
Potential Applications of CytoMed’s Technology in Cancer Treatment
CytoMed’s unique cell-based allogeneic therapies have the potential to treat a broad spectrum of both solid and blood cancers. This wide-ranging applicability is a testament to the versatility and potential of their technologies.
Solid Cancers
Solid cancers refer to tumors that form in the solid tissues of the body, such as the organs, muscles, and bones. These include cancers like breast cancer, lung cancer, prostate cancer, colorectal cancer, and pancreatic cancer, among others. CytoMed’s cell-based therapies, particularly their CAR- γδ T cells and γδ T cells, have shown promise in pre-clinical studies for the treatment of these types of cancers.
Blood Cancers
Blood cancers, or hematological cancers, affect the production and function of blood cells and include types such as leukemia, lymphoma, and myeloma. CytoMed’s cell-based therapies, including their iPSC γδ NKT cells, are being developed to target these types of cancers as well.
CytoMed’s approach to cancer treatment, which involves engineering affordable off-the-shelf allogeneic cell-based cancer therapies, has the potential to revolutionize the treatment of both solid and blood cancers. The company’s therapies are designed to be scalable and produced at affordable costs, potentially making them accessible to a wide range of patients. Furthermore, their therapies potentially reduce the risk of secondary cancers and adverse effects, offering a more patient-friendly approach to cancer treatment.
In January 2023, CytoMed received approval from the Health Science Authority, Singapore for a Phase I clinical trial [NCT05302037] to be conducted by the National University Hospital Singapore. This marks a significant milestone in the company’s journey and opens up new possibilities for the future of cancer treatment.
CytoMed’s Clinical Trials and Programs
CytoMed Therapeutics is currently engaged in several clinical trials and programs, each aimed at advancing the company’s mission to engineer affordable off-the-shelf allogeneic cell-based cancer therapies.
CAR- γδ T Cell: Phase I clinical trial approved in Singapore
One of the most notable clinical programs at CytoMed is the development of CAR- γδ T cells. This unique cell therapy product is currently Phase I ready. The company has developed a CAR construct to target NKG2DLs, a fusion of NKG2D protein and T-cell surface glycoprotein CD3 zeta. This has been used to enhance the anti-cancer potency of alpha beta T cells, demonstrating promising results in pre-clinical studies for the treatment of pancreatic cancer.
iPSC γδ NKT Cell: Preclinical
Another significant program at CytoMed is the development of iPSC γδ NKT cells. These cells are currently in the preclinical stage. The company has successfully reprogrammed peripheral blood cells into iPSCs using a nonviral episomal method. These iPSCs are then used to generate a synthetic hybrid cell comprising NK cells and γδ NKT cells against cancers – visit www.cytomed.sg to view the videos.
Clinical Trial Approval
In January 2023, CytoMed received approval from the Health Science Authority, Singapore for a Phase I clinical trial [NCT05302037] to be conducted by the National University Hospital Singapore. This marks a significant milestone in the company’s journey and opens up new possibilities for the future of cancer treatment.
These clinical trials and programs reflect CytoMed’s commitment to advancing the field of cell-based cancer therapies. With a focus on developing affordable, off-the-shelf therapies, the company is poised to make a significant impact on the treatment of a broad spectrum of solid and blood cancers.
University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center Collaboration
CytoMed Therapeutics Limited, a biopharmaceutical company, has announced a research collaboration with The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center to use γδ T cells in the treatment of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and breast cancer. The collaborative research aims to address the limited treatment options available for these illnesses and develop affordable solutions for patients.
The two-year study will be spearheaded by Venkata Lokesh Battula, Ph.D., and will investigate the effects of CytoMed’s allogeneic gdTc on various types of AML and breast cancer. The results are expected to contribute to an Investigational New Drug Application to the U.S. FDA. Earlier this year, CytoMed received approval to conduct a first-in-human Phase I clinical trial for their lead allogeneic CAR-T product candidate in Singapore. Dr Tan Wee Kiat, COO at CytoMed, expressed enthusiasm for international collaborations as a part of their strategic plan.
Conclusion
CytoMed is a pioneering company in the field of cancer treatment, with its unique approach to CAR-T cell technology and the use of iPSC-derived γδ NK T cells. With its focus on affordable, off-the-shelf therapies, CytoMed is poised to make a significant impact on the treatment of a broad spectrum of solid and blood cancers. As the company continues to develop and refine its therapies, the future of affordable cancer treatment looks promising.
With a focused pipeline and a strong commitment to innovation, CytoMed is well-positioned to lead the way in the development of next-generation cancer treatments. The company’s unique approach to CAR-T cell technology, combined with its use of iPSC-derived γδ NK T cells, sets it apart in the field of cancer therapeutics. As CytoMed continues to advance its research and development efforts, the potential impact on the future of cancer treatment is immense.
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