Ziopharm Oncology Inc. presented new interim analyses of clinical data from two ongoing sub-studies in its Controlled IL-12 platform, or Ad-RTS-hIL-12 plus veledimex (Ad+V), both as monotherapy and in combination with a PD-1 inhibitor, for the treatment of recurrent or progressive glioblastoma multiforme (rGBM) in adults.
 “Profiling an expanded number of patients with rGBM shows that Controlled IL-12 engages patients’ immune systems which we previously showed was an indicator of improved overall survival,” said Laurence Cooper, M.D., Ph.D., CEO of Ziopharm. “Furthermore, we demonstrate that Controlled IL-12 can be combined with a PD-1 inhibitor and the initial data from this phase 1 trial are consistent with immune-mediated anti-tumor effects with a favorable safety profile. As the follow up from these sub-studies continues, we remain encouraged by the application of Controlled IL-12 as monotherapy and the combination data support our plans to initiate a phase 2 trial combining Controlled IL-12 with a second PD-1 inhibitor in the next few weeks.” 
                   
“Glioblastoma is a devastating brain cancer with few treatment options demonstrating success and a significant need for new treatment options. The Controlled IL-12 platform that appears to have activity as monotherapy is now being studied in an expanded group of patients and the new data confirms that combining Controlled IL-12 with PD-1 inhibitor is a rational combination. The encouraging safety and efficacy data previously observed in monotherapy may be enhanced with immune checkpoint inhibitors to engage the body’s own immune system to generate an anti-tumor response against recurrent glioblastoma,” said Dr. Antonio Chiocca, M.D., Ph.D., poster author and Professor of Neurosurgery at Harvard Medical School, Surgical Director of the Center for Neuro-oncology at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, and Chairman of Neurosurgery and Co-Director of the Institute for the Neurosciences at Brigham and Women’s Hospital.