Kolon Life Science Publishes Preclinical Results of Anticancer Gene Therapy Candidate KLS-3021 in International Journal

Simultaneous Inhibition of Primary Tumor and Lymph Node Metastasis in Skin Cancer Confirmed

Kolon Life Science has published the preclinical research results of its anticancer gene therapy candidate KLS-3021 for cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC) in an international academic journal.

Exterior view of Kolon Life Science headquarters. Kolon Life Science

Kolon Life Science announced on the 27th that the preclinical research results of KLS-3021 for cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma have been officially published in the international journal for cell and gene therapy, "Molecular Therapy Oncology." KLS-3021 is an anticancer gene therapy candidate that utilizes a recombinant vaccinia virus with enhanced cancer cell selectivity, loaded with therapeutic genes (PH-20, IL-12, and sPD1-Fc).

In the study, KLS-3021 demonstrated high cancer cell-selective cytotoxicity and viral replication capacity in cSCC cell lines compared to normal cells. In metastatic models, a single intratumoral administration led to a reduction in primary tumor size as well as inhibition of tumor progression in metastatic lymph node lesions. It was also observed that the virus continued to spread at metastatic sites.

Analysis of the tumor microenvironment revealed histological evidence of hyaluronan degradation, extensive viral spread, increased immune cell infiltration, and immunogenic cell death. These results suggest that KLS-3021 can simultaneously target both the physical and immunological barriers of tumors.

Kolon Life Science is expanding the scope of KLS-3021 research to include prostate cancer, head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC), and triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), and plans to release the results through publications and conference presentations to facilitate discussions on global joint development and technology transfer.

Lee Hankook, CEO of Kolon Life Science, stated, "This publication is an internationally recognized achievement demonstrating the therapeutic potential of KLS-3021 in advanced and metastatic cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma," adding, "We will accelerate both the expansion of indications and discussions on global commercialization."

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