Evaxion Biotech Announces Proof-of-Concept for AI-Driven Cancer Vaccines Targeting Endogenous Retrovirus Tumor Antigens
Evaxion Biotech A/S (NASDAQ: EVAX), a clinical-stage biotechnology company, has announced preclinical Proof-of-Concept (PoC) results for a precision cancer vaccine concept. The approach uses the company’s AI-Immunology platform to target shared non-conventional endogenous retrovirus (ERV) tumor antigens, potentially expanding options for cancer immunotherapy.
This development follows Evaxion’s earlier achievements in applying artificial intelligence to identify neoantigens for personalized cancer vaccines. The platform integrates technologies such as PIONEER, EDEN, RAVEN, and ObsERV to support vaccine development in oncology and infectious diseases.
See also: Evaxion's AI-Immunology Platform Gains Validation in Clinical Trials
Evaxion’s new method identifies ERVs expressed in cancer cells as potential tumor antigens. ERVs, embedded viral elements in the human genome, can reactivate in cancer and serve as novel therapeutic targets. The ObsERV model plays a central role in identifying these ERV-derived targets.
By selecting ERV fragments, or "hotspots," compatible with diverse immune profiles, the concept aims to enable the development of vaccines that could be applied to multiple cancer types. Unlike conventional cancer vaccines that rely on identifying neoantigens from tumors with high mutational burden (TMB), this approach may be suitable for cancers with lower TMB, broadening the potential patient population.
Palexpo exhibition centre in Geneva, Switzerland
Preclinical Results
The PoC data, presented at the ESMO Immuno-Oncology Congress in Geneva, Switzerland, highlights the following findings:
- Human Immune Cell Studies: ERV targets stimulated T-cell responses across samples from multiple donors.
- Mouse Models: ERV precision vaccines induced antigen-specific T-cells and reduced tumor growth.
Evaxion intends to identify a lead vaccine candidate in the second half of 2025.
