DURHAM – A Duke University spinout has developed an immune-boosting technology using variations of the polio vaccine that does more than wipe out a targeted solid tumor.

“It clears the body of others as well, not just where it’s injected,” said Matt Stober, president and CEO of RTP-based Istari Oncology.

Istari’s primary technology platform is the Polio Virus Sabin-Rhinovirus Poliovirus (PVSRIPO). The results from multiple trials and preclinical research streams indicate that PVSRIPO has the potential to treat a variety of solid tumors that were previously thought of as untreatable.

Although the company began by focusing on the deadly brain cancer glioblastoma multiform, a treatment in Phase II trials, it discovered it has the potential to address just about every solid tumor.

It is potentially so versatile because most of us have been vaccinated with the polio vaccine, and its effects last the rest of your life, Stober explains. So, injected into a solid tumor, it causes a vigorous immune system response to attack the cancer.

Side-effects from the long-used polio vaccine are minimal, and the technology has already shown safety and effectiveness in clinical trials.

One of the company’s trials is testing the PVSRIPO treatment along with checkpoint inhibitors. Istari executive John Higgins said checkpoints are part of the cancer cell-cycle that block the immune system. “Checkpoint inhibitors take the brakes off so the immune system can attack the cancer.”

A 60 Minutes Episode featured how polio vaccines fight cancer:

A better quality of life

The Istari technology does not have the nasty side-effects of many current cancer treatments such as chemotherapy, surgery and radiation. “Along with eliminating the tumors, we want to make the treatment less impactful so patients have a better quality of life, that’s our mission,” Stober said.

He also points out that many tumors are treatment-resistant and others become so, which is not a problem with the PVSRIPO treatment. Stober chose to take the helm at the company rather than retire because he saw his father die of the brain cancer Istari’s treatment might cure.

The company, founded five years ago, raised about $4 million in 2017 according to US Securities and Exchange filings. Much of its initial funding came from research grants. It is currently raising a B round in an undisclosed amount. Istari has 34 employees and is hiring. It expects to add another 15 to 20 employees.

The company may go the IPO route eventually, sources say.

Clinical Trials
  • Phase 1 treatment-resistant melanoma data was presented at SITC 2020, which found that, 67% of patients responded positively in both injected and non-injected tumors.
  • IND clearance for LUMINOS-102, a Phase 2 trial studying PVSRIPO alone and in combination with an anti-PD-1 inhibitors in treatment-resistant melanoma
  • The first patient was successfully dosed in LUMINOS-101, a combination Phase 2 trial, studying PVSRIPO with Keytruda in patients with rGBM