MiNK Therapeutics Announces Frontiers in Immunology Publication Highlighting iNKT Cells as a Dual-Function Platform Key to Overcoming Barriers in Solid Tumor Cell Therapy
MiNK Therapeutics (NASDAQ: INKT) announced a publication in Frontiers in Immunology highlighting their innovative iNKT cell therapy platform. The article focuses on their lead program agenT-797, an unmodified allogeneic iNKT therapy, which has shown promising results in solid tumors without requiring lymphodepletion or genetic modification.
The company reported a notable case where a patient with metastatic testicular cancer achieved complete remission using agenT-797 combined with anti-PD-1 therapy, remaining disease-free for over two years. Additionally, in a Phase 2 trial for second-line gastric cancer, the therapy demonstrated enhanced tumor infiltration and durable disease control.
MiNK is also advancing MiNK-215, an IL-15-armored, FAP-targeting CAR-iNKT cell therapy designed to overcome stromal barriers in resistant tumors.
MiNK Therapeutics (NASDAQ: INKT) ha annunciato una pubblicazione su Frontiers in Immunology che mette in luce la loro innovativa piattaforma di terapia con cellule iNKT. L'articolo si concentra sul loro programma principale, agenT-797, una terapia iNKT allogenica non modificata, che ha mostrato risultati promettenti nei tumori solidi senza necessità di linfo-deplezione o modifiche genetiche.
L'azienda ha riportato un caso significativo in cui un paziente con cancro testicolare metastatico ha raggiunto una remissione completa utilizzando agenT-797 in combinazione con la terapia anti-PD-1, rimanendo libero dalla malattia per oltre due anni. Inoltre, in uno studio di Fase 2 per il cancro gastrico di seconda linea, la terapia ha dimostrato un miglioramento nell'infiltrazione tumorale e un controllo duraturo della malattia.
MiNK sta anche sviluppando MiNK-215, una terapia CAR-iNKT armata con IL-15 e mirata al FAP, progettata per superare le barriere stromali nei tumori resistenti.
MiNK Therapeutics (NASDAQ: INKT) anunció una publicación en Frontiers in Immunology que destaca su innovadora plataforma de terapia con células iNKT. El artículo se centra en su programa principal, agenT-797, una terapia iNKT alogénica sin modificaciones, que ha mostrado resultados prometedores en tumores sólidos sin necesidad de linfodepleción ni modificaciones genéticas.
La compañía reportó un caso notable donde un paciente con cáncer testicular metastásico logró una remisión completa usando agenT-797 combinado con terapia anti-PD-1, permaneciendo libre de enfermedad por más de dos años. Además, en un ensayo de Fase 2 para cáncer gástrico de segunda línea, la terapia demostró una mayor infiltración tumoral y un control duradero de la enfermedad.
MiNK también está avanzando con MiNK-215, una terapia CAR-iNKT armada con IL-15 y dirigida al FAP, diseñada para superar las barreras estromales en tumores resistentes.
MiNK Therapeutics (NASDAQ: INKT)가 Frontiers in Immunology에 혁신적인 iNKT 세포 치료 플랫폼에 관한 논문을 발표했습니다. 이 논문은 주력 프로그램인 agenT-797에 초점을 맞추었으며, 이는 변형되지 않은 동종 iNKT 치료제로 림프절 제거나 유전자 변형 없이 고형암에서 유망한 결과를 보였습니다.
회사는 전이성 고환암 환자가 agenT-797과 항-PD-1 치료를 병용하여 완전 관해를 이루었으며, 2년 이상 무병 상태를 유지한 주목할 만한 사례를 보고했습니다. 또한, 2상 임상시험에서 2차 위암 환자 대상으로 종양 침투 증가와 지속적인 질병 조절 효과를 확인했습니다.
MiNK는 또한 내성 종양의 기질 장벽을 극복하기 위해 설계된 IL-15 강화, FAP 표적 CAR-iNKT 세포 치료제인 MiNK-215도 개발 중입니다.
MiNK Therapeutics (NASDAQ: INKT) a annoncé une publication dans Frontiers in Immunology mettant en avant leur plateforme innovante de thérapie par cellules iNKT. L'article se concentre sur leur programme principal, agenT-797, une thérapie iNKT allogénique non modifiée, qui a montré des résultats prometteurs dans les tumeurs solides sans nécessiter de lymphodéplétion ni de modification génétique.
L'entreprise a rapporté un cas remarquable où un patient atteint d'un cancer testiculaire métastatique a obtenu une rémission complète grâce à agenT-797 combiné à une thérapie anti-PD-1, restant sans maladie pendant plus de deux ans. De plus, dans un essai de Phase 2 pour un cancer gastrique de seconde ligne, la thérapie a démontré une infiltration tumorale accrue et un contrôle durable de la maladie.
MiNK développe également MiNK-215, une thérapie CAR-iNKT ciblant le FAP et armée en IL-15, conçue pour surmonter les barrières stromales dans les tumeurs résistantes.
MiNK Therapeutics (NASDAQ: INKT) gab eine Veröffentlichung in Frontiers in Immunology bekannt, die ihre innovative iNKT-Zelltherapie-Plattform hervorhebt. Der Artikel konzentriert sich auf ihr führendes Programm agenT-797, eine unveränderte allogene iNKT-Therapie, die vielversprechende Ergebnisse bei soliden Tumoren zeigte, ohne dass eine Lymphodepletion oder genetische Modifikation erforderlich war.
Das Unternehmen berichtete von einem bemerkenswerten Fall, in dem ein Patient mit metastasiertem Hodenkrebs durch die Kombination von agenT-797 mit Anti-PD-1-Therapie eine komplette Remission erreichte und über zwei Jahre krankheitsfrei blieb. Zudem zeigte die Therapie in einer Phase-2-Studie bei Zweitlinien-Magenkrebs eine verbesserte Tumorinfiltration und eine nachhaltige Krankheitskontrolle.
MiNK entwickelt außerdem MiNK-215, eine IL-15-gestärkte, FAP-zielgerichtete CAR-iNKT-Zelltherapie, die darauf ausgelegt ist, stromale Barrieren in resistenten Tumoren zu überwinden.
- Complete and durable remission achieved in metastatic testicular cancer patient using agenT-797
- Demonstrated efficacy without need for lymphodepletion or complex conditioning
- Successful Phase 2 trial results showing immune activation and durable disease control in gastric cancer
- Platform shows potential for scalable, cost-effective manufacturing
- None.
Insights
MiNK's iNKT cell therapy shows promising clinical results in solid tumors with publication validating their unique dual-action approach.
MiNK Therapeutics' announcement represents a significant scientific validation for their invariant Natural Killer T (iNKT) cell platform. The peer-reviewed publication in Frontiers in Immunology highlights what makes these cells particularly valuable in the crowded cell therapy landscape. Unlike conventional CAR-T approaches that have struggled with solid tumors, iNKT cells offer a dual mechanism - they directly target cancer cells while simultaneously remodeling the hostile tumor microenvironment.
The clinical data cited is particularly compelling. A patient with metastatic testicular cancer achieved complete remission lasting over two years after failing multiple conventional treatments. This occurred without the need for lymphodepletion or the typical severe side effects seen with other cell therapies like cytokine release syndrome or graft-versus-host disease. Additionally, in a Phase 2 gastric cancer trial, their lead candidate agenT-797 demonstrated durable disease control in patients who previously failed immunotherapy.
What differentiates MiNK's approach is that iNKT cells appear to address several critical limitations of current cell therapies: they don't require patient-matching (allowing off-the-shelf use), they penetrate solid tumor barriers, they function without extensive pre-conditioning, and they offer more cost-effective manufacturing. Their next-generation candidate, MiNK-215, targets fibroblast activation protein (FAP) and is enhanced with IL-15, specifically designed to break through the stromal barriers that typically prevent immune cell infiltration in resistant tumors.
The publication affirms MiNK's scientific foundation while the reported clinical responses suggest their technology may succeed where others have struggled - in treating solid tumors with an off-the-shelf cell therapy approach that doesn't require extensive patient preparation or carry severe safety risks.
iNKT cells uniquely remodel the tumor microenvironment, overcome immune resistance, and enable scalable off-the-shelf cell therapy
NEW YORK, July 15, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- MiNK Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ: INKT), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company pioneering allogeneic invariant natural killer T (iNKT) cell therapies, today announced the publication of a peer-reviewed article titled “CAR-iNKT Cells: Redefining the Frontiers of Cellular Immunotherapy” in Frontiers in Immunology. The publication, authored by leading experts in iNKT biology, underscores the power of iNKT cells as the next-generation off-the-shelf platform for treating solid tumors—where conventional cell therapies have failed to deliver lasting results.
“This publication highlights what sets MiNK apart,” said Jennifer Buell, PhD, President and CEO of MiNK Therapeutics. “Our allogeneic iNKT platform, agenT-797, has already demonstrated potent, durable activity in solid tumors—without lymphodepletion, genetic modification, or complex conditioning. Building on that, we have shown that our CAR-iNKT cells deliver dual targeting through the invariant TCR and CAR, while actively reshaping the tumor microenvironment. With MiNK-215, our IL-15–armored, FAP-targeting CAR-iNKT therapy, we’re now tackling the stromal barriers that have long prevented immune infiltration in resistant tumors.”
Clinical Data: Durable Responses in Solid Tumors
MiNK’s lead program, agenT-797, is an unmodified, allogeneic iNKT therapy derived from healthy donors. In a recent peer-reviewed Oncogene report, a patient with metastatic, treatment-refractory testicular cancer achieved a complete and durable remission following treatment with agenT-797 in combination with anti–PD-1 therapy. The patient had progressed on multiple prior lines of treatment—including chemotherapy, autologous stem cell transplant, and checkpoint blockade—and remains disease-free more than two years later. No cytokine release syndrome (CRS), graft-versus-host disease (GvHD), or lymphodepletion was required.
Furthermore, in an ongoing Phase 2 trial in second-line gastric cancer reported at the inaugural AACR-IO congress in February, agenT-797 has shown immune activation, enhanced tumor infiltration, and durable disease control in patients who previously failed immunotherapy. These findings underscore the unique ability of iNKTs to reprogram the tumor microenvironment and enable sustained anti-tumor responses.
Frontiers in Immunology: iNKT Cells as a Distinct Therapeutic Class
The Frontiers in Immunology review details the unique attributes of INKTs which make them uniquely suited to overcome the major limitations of conventional cell therapies. Unlike traditional cells, iNKTs:
- Exhibit rapid, priming-independent anti-tumor activity
- Penetrate and remodel the tumor microenvironment
- Lack alloreactivity, allowing for unmatched donor use with no GvHD
- Demonstrate persistence and efficacy without lymphodepletion
- Enable scalable, cost-effective manufacturing
When engineered with CARs, iNKTs retain their innate tumor-homing and immunomodulatory features while gaining antigen-specific precision—offering a dual mechanism of action: direct tumor killing and broad immune reprogramming.
Leveraging these findings, MiNK-215 is an IND-advancing, IL-15–armored, FAP-targeting CAR-iNKT cell therapy is designed to penetrate fibrotic, immune-excluded tumors. Preclinical data demonstrate that MiNK-215 selectively depletes stromal barriers, enhances chemokine signaling, and promotes T cell infiltration—unlocking tumors historically resistant to immunotherapy.
About MiNK Therapeutics
MiNK Therapeutics is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company pioneering the development of allogeneic invariant natural killer T (iNKT) cell therapies and precision-targeted immune technologies. MiNK’s proprietary platform is designed to restore immune balance and drive cytotoxic immune responses across cancer, immune-mediated diseases, and pulmonary immune failure. MiNK’s lead asset, AGENT-797, is an off-the-shelf, allogeneic iNKT cell therapy currently in clinical development for the treatment of graft-versus-host disease (GvHD), solid tumors, and critical pulmonary immune collapse. MiNK is also advancing a pipeline of T cell receptor (TCR)-based therapies and neoantigen discovery tools that enable tumor- and tissue-specific immune activation with broad potential application. With a scalable, cryopreserved manufacturing process and a differentiated mechanism that bridges innate and adaptive immunity, MiNK is committed to developing next-generation immune reconstitution therapies that are accessible, durable, and applicable across a wide range of indications. For more information, visit https://minktherapeutics.com or follow us on X @MiNK_iNKT.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements that are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the federal securities laws, including statements regarding the therapeutic potential, safety, anticipated benefit, development plans, and future potential of iNKT cells and CAR-iNKT therapies. These forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties, including those described under the “Risk Factors” section of MiNK’s most recent filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. MiNK cautions investors not to place undue reliance on these statements. The company undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, except as required by law.
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FAQ
What are the key findings of MiNK Therapeutics (INKT) Frontiers in Immunology publication?
What clinical results has MiNK Therapeutics' agenT-797 shown in solid tumors?
How does MiNK Therapeutics' iNKT cell therapy differ from conventional cell therapies?
What is MiNK-215 and how does it work?
Has INKT's agenT-797 shown any serious side effects in clinical trials?
