Vaccinex to Report Promising New Clinical Data Revealing Pepinemab's Unique Mechanism to Enhance Immunotherapy at Annual Meeting of American Association for Cancer Research (AACR)

Core Insights - Pepinemab, a Semaphorin 4D blocking immunotherapy, shows promise in enhancing immune responses and improving survival in patients with metastatic melanoma and head and neck cancer [1][2][4][5]. Company Overview - Vaccinex, Inc. is a clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on innovative treatments for cancer and Alzheimer's disease through the inhibition of Semaphorin 4D [2][8]. - The lead drug candidate, pepinemab, is designed to block SEMA4D, which is believed to prevent immune cell infiltration in tumors and trigger inflammation in neurodegenerative diseases [8]. Clinical Data and Presentations - New data on pepinemab's mechanism to enhance immune responses will be presented at the 2025 AACR Annual Meeting, highlighting its role in improving clinical outcomes in combination with immune checkpoint therapies [2][3]. - Previous studies indicate that pepinemab enhances the maturity of tertiary lymphoid structures (TLS), correlating with longer recurrence-free survival in metastatic melanoma patients [5][6]. Mechanism of Action - Pepinemab facilitates immune cell interactions by blocking SEMA4D's inhibitory signal to dendritic cells, promoting the formation of organized immune centers (TLS) that amplify T cell responses [3][4][5]. - The presence of TLS has been associated with better clinical outcomes and responses to immune checkpoint therapy, making pepinemab a potential solution for "cold" tumors [4][5]. Ongoing Research - Evaluation of pepinemab in the neoadjuvant setting for head and neck cancer is ongoing, with results expected to be reported at upcoming scientific meetings [6].