GeoVax Labs Inc. (NASDAQ: GOVX) announced that peer-reviewed research published in JCI Insight supports its Gedeptin cancer treatment platform's potential to enhance immune checkpoint inhibitor responses in solid tumors.

The study, titled "Broadening Activity of Checkpoint Blockade Agents by Intratumoral Nucleoside Cleavage," evaluated E. coli PNP/F-araA, the therapeutic concept underlying Gedeptin. Researchers used a triple-negative breast cancer cell line known to resist conventional treatments including radiation and immune checkpoint inhibitors.

In laboratory studies, E. coli PNP/F-araA treatment initiated signaling associated with immune sensitization. Animal studies showed that treatment with F-araAMP, a prodrug of F-araA, resulted in complete tumor regression in all treated animals with PNP-expressing tumors.

When researchers administered subcurative doses of F-araAMP followed by immune checkpoint inhibitors, they observed significant tumor burden reductions and complete regressions in treated animals. The study also found that immune checkpoint blockade effectiveness improved in non-PNP-expressing tumors when a separate PNP-expressing tumor was treated with F-araAMP.

This anti-tumor effect on distant, untreated tumors occurred following a single cycle of PNP/F-araAMP therapy, according to the research.

"These findings substantially expand the scientific relevance of Gedeptin beyond localized tumor control," said David Dodd, chairman and chief executive officer of GeoVax. "The data suggest that localized Gedeptin treatment may function as a force multiplier for checkpoint inhibitors by activating systemic anti-tumor immunity."

GeoVax is a clinical-stage biotechnology company developing immunotherapies and vaccines for solid tumors and infectious diseases. The research findings are based on information from the company's press release.