agenmestencel

Agenmestencel is a genetically engineered mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) therapy developed by Apceth for the treatment of advanced, recurrent, or metastatic gastrointestinal cancers, particularly adenocarcinomas. The therapy utilizes MSCs as a delivery vehicle to target tumor sites and metastases due to their natural homing properties. These cells are modified using a proprietary self-inactivating (SIN) lentiviral vector to express a cytotoxic gene, specifically the Herpes Simplex Virus Thymidine Kinase (HSV-TK). When administered in conjunction with a prodrug such as ganciclovir, the HSV-TK enzyme converts the prodrug into a toxic metabolite locally within the tumor microenvironment, inducing cell death while minimizing systemic toxicity. The therapy has been developed in two forms: Agenmestencel-T, an autologous version using the patient's own bone marrow cells, and Agenmestencel-L, an allogeneic "off-the-shelf" version utilizing Cynata Therapeutics' Cymerus manufacturing technology.

Other names

Genetically modified mesenchymal stem cells expressing HSV-TK