Krakow, Poland – July 13, 2017 – Institute of Hematology and Transfusion Medicine, the leading Polish hematology and blood transfusion institute, jointly with Selvita, a clinical stage drug discovery and development company focused on innovative medicines for oncology patients, have published results of a research projects concerning therapeutic potential of SEL24 in Hodgkin Lymphoma.The article titled “Expression of PIM Kinases in Reed-Sternberg Cells Fosters Immune Privilege and Tumor Cell Survival in Hodgkin Lymphoma” was published online in the Blood , on July 11, 2017.SEL24 is a Selvita-developed first-in-class orally available dual PIM/FLT3 kinase inhibitor with a unique activity profile, currently investigated for the treatment of patients with relapsed/refractory (R/R) AML. The program entered Phase I/II in early 2017. In March 2017, Selvita signed a global license agreement with Menarini Group for further research, development, manufacture and commercialization of SEL24 worldwide.“We are very excited about the findings of our studies. Our group has been studying the biology of Hodgkin lymphoma for many years, focusing on the role microenvironment and immune escape mechanism in the pathogenesis of the disease.
In this paper, we show that PIM kinases are ubiquitously expressed in classical Hodgkin lymphoma tumor cells and support their survival, but, in addition, regulate how the tumor cells and the microenvironment “speak” to each other. Inhibition of PIM kinases in tumor cells decreases expression of multiple molecules that facilitate their immune escape. Since immunotherapy in Hodgkin lymphoma is particularly effective, we hope that due to this unique mechanism of action, SEL24 will exhibit clinical activity in Hodgkin lymphoma patients”– comments prof. Przemyslaw Juszczynski, Scientific Director of the Institute of Hematology and Transfusion Medicine.“We have been cooperating with the Institute of Hematology and Transfusion Medicine since 2011 and it’s one of the best cooperations we could think of. Prof. Juszczynski’s team has given a significant input into the SEL24 development process up to date, and the most recent results describe a significant addition to the therapeutic potential of our compound.
One of the highlights our work is certainly very high activity of SEL24 in vivo, with over 90% tumor growth inhibition of a classical Hodgkin Lymphoma(cHL) xenograft model. Furthermore, SEL24 decreased the expression of multiple molecules engaged in developing the immunosuppressive microenvironment, including galectin-1 and PD-L1/2– says dr Krzysztof Brzózka, Chief Scientifc Officer at Selvita S.A. We truly hope that these exciting results will translate also into new therapeutic solutions to cHL patients. “
About The Institute of Hematology and Transfusion Medicine
Established in 1951, the Institute of Hematology and Transfusion Medicine, based in Warsaw, is the main research center in the country, focusing on oncohematology, blood coagulation disorders and immunohematology, as well as a reference clinic and diagnostic center. The Institute conducts diagnostic, therapeutic, scientific, organizational and didactic activities through various forms of scientific, specialized and continuing education. In terms of its areas, the Institute is an advisory body, and in some cases also the executive of the Ministry of Health.
In this paper, we show that PIM kinases are ubiquitously expressed in classical Hodgkin lymphoma tumor cells and support their survival, but, in addition, regulate how the tumor cells and the microenvironment “speak” to each other. Inhibition of PIM kinases in tumor cells decreases expression of multiple molecules that facilitate their immune escape. Since immunotherapy in Hodgkin lymphoma is particularly effective, we hope that due to this unique mechanism of action, SEL24 will exhibit clinical activity in Hodgkin lymphoma patients”– comments prof. Przemyslaw Juszczynski, Scientific Director of the Institute of Hematology and Transfusion Medicine.“We have been cooperating with the Institute of Hematology and Transfusion Medicine since 2011 and it’s one of the best cooperations we could think of. Prof. Juszczynski’s team has given a significant input into the SEL24 development process up to date, and the most recent results describe a significant addition to the therapeutic potential of our compound.
One of the highlights our work is certainly very high activity of SEL24 in vivo, with over 90% tumor growth inhibition of a classical Hodgkin Lymphoma(cHL) xenograft model. Furthermore, SEL24 decreased the expression of multiple molecules engaged in developing the immunosuppressive microenvironment, including galectin-1 and PD-L1/2– says dr Krzysztof Brzózka, Chief Scientifc Officer at Selvita S.A. We truly hope that these exciting results will translate also into new therapeutic solutions to cHL patients. “
About The Institute of Hematology and Transfusion Medicine
Established in 1951, the Institute of Hematology and Transfusion Medicine, based in Warsaw, is the main research center in the country, focusing on oncohematology, blood coagulation disorders and immunohematology, as well as a reference clinic and diagnostic center. The Institute conducts diagnostic, therapeutic, scientific, organizational and didactic activities through various forms of scientific, specialized and continuing education. In terms of its areas, the Institute is an advisory body, and in some cases also the executive of the Ministry of Health.