DURHAM, N.C., May 8, 2015 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Argos Therapeutics Inc. (Nasdaq:ARGS) ("Argos"), a biopharmaceutical company focused on the development and commercialization of fully personalized immunotherapies for the treatment of cancer based on the Arcelis® technology platform, today announced that Christine Fernandez, RN, MSN/Ed, OCN, who currently serves as one of the company's regional oncology medical science liaisons, will present at the 36th American Society for Apheresis (ASFA) Annual Meeting at the Grand Hyatt in San Antonio, Texas held May 6-9, 2015.
Ms. Fernandez will present findings on leukapheresis collection from the ongoing pivotal ADAPT phase 3 clinical trial evaluating AGS-003, Argos's fully personalized immunotherapy for the treatment of metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC). Leukapheresis is a procedure used to collect white blood cells from a patient's blood sample.
"In order to successfully manufacture personalized immunotherapies, such as AGS-003, we require a precise and robust collection of monocytes from patients with mRCC," said Ms. Fernandez. "Based upon our ADAPT trial experience to date, we have generated enough data to create a predictive algorithm and decision pathway to further improve our leukapheresis collection guidelines. Implementation of this algorithm has enabled us to collect a high-quality leukapheresis product in a heterogeneous mRCC population, which consistently delivers multiple years of potential AGS-003 treatment from a single leukapheresis."
The oral presentation will take place during Abstract Session II: Donor and Therapeutic Apheresis from 5-5:15pm CT on Friday, May 8th. The abstract is titled, "Leukapheresis Collection (LC) Insights in Unstimulated Patients with Synchronous Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma (mRCC) receiving a Combination of Autologous Immunotherapy (AGS-003) and Sunitinib: From the Ongoing International ADAPT Phase 3 Trial Experience."
About the Arcelis® Technology Platform
Arcelis® is a fully personalized immunotherapy technology that captures mutated and variant antigens that are specific to each patient's disease. It is designed to overcome immunosuppression by producing a durable memory T-cell response without adjuvants that may be associated with toxicity. The technology is potentially applicable to a wide range of different cancers, and is designed to overcome many of the manufacturing and commercialization challenges that have impeded other personalized cancer immunotherapies. The Arcelis® process uses only a small tumor or blood sample and the patient's own dendritic cells, which are collected and optimized following a single leukapheresis procedure. The proprietary process uses RNA isolated from the patient's disease sample to program dendritic cells to target disease specific antigens. The activated, antigen-loaded dendritic cells are then formulated into the patient's plasma and administered via intradermal injection.
About Argos Therapeutics
Argos Therapeutics is a biopharmaceutical company focused on the development and commercialization of fully personalized immunotherapies for the treatment of cancer using its Arcelis® technology platform. Argos' most advanced product candidate, AGS-003, is being evaluated in the pivotal ADAPT phase 3 clinical trial for the treatment of metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC). The Company is also developing a separate Arcelis®-based product candidate, AGS-004, for the treatment of HIV, currently being evaluated in a phase 2 clinical trial in combination with a latency reversing drug for HIV eradication in adult patients. For more information about Argos Therapeutics, visit www.argostherapeutics.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
Any statements in this press release about Argos' future expectations, plans and prospects, including statements about Argos and other statements containing the words "believes," "anticipates," "plans," "expects," and similar expressions, constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Actual results may differ materially from those indicated by these forward-looking statements as a result of various important factors, including whether Argos' cash resources will be sufficient to fund our continuing operations for the period anticipated; whether results obtained in clinical trials will be indicative of results obtained in future clinical trials; whether Argos' product candidates will advance through the clinical trial process on a timely basis and receive approval from the United States Food and Drug Administration or equivalent foreign regulatory agencies; whether, if product candidates obtain approval, they will be successfully distributed and marketed; and other factors discussed in the "Risk Factors" section of Argos' Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014 which is on file with the SEC. In addition, the forward-looking statements included in this press release represent Argos' views as of May 8, 2015. Argos anticipates that subsequent events and developments will cause Argos' views to change. However, while Argos may elect to update these forward-looking statements at some point in the future, Argos specifically disclaims any obligation to do so. These forward-looking statements should not be relied upon as representing Argos' views as of any date subsequent to May 8, 2015.