Ernexa Therapeutics Presented Promising Data on Innovative Cell Therapy Treatment at AACR Annual Meeting 2025
Rhea-AI Summary
Ernexa Therapeutics presented groundbreaking data at the AACR Annual Meeting 2025 showcasing a novel stem cell therapy for ovarian cancer. The company's lead product, ERNA-101, uses engineered induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) transformed into induced MSCs that secrete immune-boosting cytokines IL-7 and IL-15.
Led by Dr. Michael Andreeff from MD Anderson Cancer Center, the study demonstrated that these engineered cells effectively:
- Slowed tumor growth in ovarian cancer models
- Improved survival rates
- Increased presence of crucial immune cells (T cells, NK cells, macrophages)
- Enhanced T cell growth and multiplication
- Showed better growth and multiplication compared to traditional MSCs
This breakthrough addresses previous limitations of mesenchymal stem cells in cancer treatment, offering a more effective and scalable therapeutic approach. The results support continued development of Ernexa's cancer pipeline.
Positive
- Successful preclinical data showing tumor growth reduction in ovarian cancer models
- Enhanced immune cell recruitment demonstrated in tumor microenvironment
- Technology shows improved scalability compared to traditional MSCs
- Lead product ERNA-101 shows promise in treating drug-resistant cancers
- Collaboration with prestigious MD Anderson Cancer Center
Negative
- Still in early preclinical stage - long pathway to commercialization
- Current data limited to mouse models only
- No human trial data available yet
- Previous MSC-based treatments faced implementation challenges
News Market Reaction 1 Alert
On the day this news was published, ERNA declined 1.65%, reflecting a mild negative market reaction.
Data tracked by StockTitan Argus on the day of publication.
Study showed engineered stem cell-derived therapy recruits key immune cells and slows tumor growth, supporting continued development of Ernexa’s advanced cancer pipeline
CAMBRIDGE, Mass., April 29, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Ernexa Therapeutics (Nasdaq: ERNA), developing innovative cell therapies for the treatment of advanced cancer and autoimmune disease, presented noteworthy new data at the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) Annual Meeting 2025 in Chicago on April 28. The study showed how engineered cells derived from stem cells could transform the treatment of ovarian cancer. The data revealed that these engineered cells, which release powerful immune-boosting cytokines, not only shrink tumors but also help the body’s immune system to attack the cancer more effectively.
“We’ve taken cells that normally help repair tissues in the body and reprogrammed them to support the immune system in fighting cancer,” said Michael Andreeff, M.D., Ph.D., from The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. Dr. Andreeff was the principal investigator on the study and has long been at the forefront of cancer cell therapy. “This could be a game-changer for cancers that don’t respond well to current treatments.”
This new data builds on earlier work led by Dr. Andreeff, which showed the potential of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) in cancer treatment. In earlier trials, engineered MSCs helped slow the growth of ovarian cancer in patients, but they have not been widely used due to their immune-suppressing nature and other challenges. To address these issues, Ernexa engineered induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) and transformed them into induced MSCs (iMSCs). These iMSCs were engineered to secrete IL-7 and IL-15, two cytokines that help boost the immune system’s ability to fight cancer. This is the technology behind Ernexa's lead product ERNA-101.
In this study using mice with ovarian cancer, the iMSCs significantly slowed tumor growth and improved survival rates. The treatment led to a greater presence of immune cells in the tumor, including T cells, natural killer (NK) cells, and macrophages – all key players in the body’s defense against cancer. In additional tests, the iMSCs also helped T cells grow and multiply, even in cases of drug-resistant cancer cells. Further tests have shown that these iMSCs are much better at growing and multiplying compared to traditional MSCs.
Overall, the study demonstrated significant promise for ERNA-101 as a more effective, accessible, and scalable treatment for patients in the future. It reinforces Ernexa’s commitment to pushing the boundaries of cancer treatment with innovative and effective therapies.
About Ernexa Therapeutics
Ernexa Therapeutics (Nasdaq: ERNA) is developing innovative cell therapies for the treatment of advanced solid tumors and autoimmune disease. Ernexa’s core technology focuses on engineering induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) and transforming them into induced mesenchymal stem cells (iMSCs). Ernexa’s allogeneic synthetic iMSCs provide a scalable, off-the-shelf treatment solution, without needing patient-specific cell harvesting.
Ernexa is developing two highly innovative cell therapy products, both currently in preclinical stages. ERNA-101 is the company’s lead cell therapy product, designed to activate and regulate the immune system’s response to recognize and attack cancer cells. ERNA-102 is a cell therapy product designed to target inflammation and treat autoimmune disease. The company’s initial focus is to develop ERNA-101 for the treatment of ovarian cancer.
For more information, visit www.ernexatx.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, which are intended to be covered by the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements, in some cases, can be identified by terms such as "believe," "may," "will," "estimate," "continue," "anticipate," "design," "intend," "expect," "could," "plan," "potential," "predict," "seek," "should," "would," "contemplate," "project," "target," "objective," or the negative version of these words and similar expressions. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause Ernexa's actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements in this press release, including, without limitation, risks and uncertainties related to: progress and possible outcomes of the Company’s lead research project, ERNA-101, and future research projects. Forward-looking statements are based upon Ernexa's current expectations and involve assumptions that may never materialize or may prove to be incorrect. All forward-looking statements are expressly qualified in their entirety by these cautionary statements. For a detailed description of Ernexa's risks and uncertainties, you are encouraged to review its documents filed with the SEC including its recent filings on Form 8-K, Form 10-K and Form 10-Q. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date on which they were made. Ernexa does not undertake any obligation to update the forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect events that occur or circumstances that exist after the date hereof, except as required by applicable law.
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FAQ
What did Ernexa's (ERNA) cancer therapy study at AACR 2025 reveal?
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What advantages does ERNA-101 have over traditional MSC cancer treatments?
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