In a late May 2023 news release from clinical-stage biotechnology company Acepodia, the company shared that the first patient has been dosed in a Phase 1 study. Within this first-in-human study, researchers are evaluating the safety, efficacy, pharmacokinetics, and pharmacodynamics of ACE1831 for the treatment of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (NHL), as well as other cancers. They also hope to identify the maximum tolerated dose which can then be used in further clinical studies. Currently, treatment options for NHL include chemotherapy, biologics, radiation, and bone marrow transplants. Acepodia is hoping to transform the treatment landscape with ACE1831. This therapy is administered via intravenous infusion. On the trial page, ACE1831 is described as:
an off-the-shelf, allogeneic gamma delta T (gdT) cell therapy derived from healthy donors, that is under investigation for the treatment of CD20-expressing B-cell malignancies.
This therapy was developed using the company’s proprietary Antibody-Cell Conjugation (ACC) platform. Acepodia believes that using gdT cells could target cancer cells without imbuing any toxicity to healthy tissues.
The Basics of Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma (NHL)
Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma is a type of cancer that originates in the lymphatic system, particularly in white blood cells called lymphocytes. Doctors aren’t clear on what causes this cancer, though they have identified risk factors. A weakened immune system, being older in age, certain chemical exposure, and infections like HIV or Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) may all increase the risk of NHL development.
There are multiple subtypes of NHL such as cutaneous B-cell lymphoma, follicular lymphoma, and Waldenstrom’s macroglobulinemia. Symptoms and manifestations may differ based on specific subtypes. More common symptoms may, but do not always, include:
- Unintentional weight loss
- Fever and drenching night sweats
- Fatigue
- Shortness of breath
- Abdominal pain and swelling
- Swollen lymph nodes, often in the neck, groin, or armpits
- Chest pain
- Frequent or recurrent infections
- Chronic cough
- Easy bruising and bleeding
