EC90 + EC17 + aldesleukin + interferon alfa

FolateImmune is an investigational immunotherapy regimen developed by Endocyte that utilizes a 'target and treat' strategy for folate receptor-positive cancers. The regimen consists of two primary components: **EC17**, a folate-hapten conjugate (folic acid linked to fluorescein isothiocyanate, or FITC), and **EC90**, a vaccine designed to stimulate an immune response against the FITC hapten. EC17 specifically binds to the folate receptor alpha (FRα), which is overexpressed on many solid tumors, effectively labeling the cancer cells with FITC. The EC90 vaccine induces high levels of anti-FITC antibodies. When combined with the cytokines **interleukin-2 (IL-2)** and **interferon-alpha (IFN-alpha)**, the regimen aims to recruit and activate immune effector cells, such as natural killer cells and macrophages, to destroy the hapten-labeled tumor cells via antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) and other immune mechanisms. This approach was primarily evaluated in Phase 1b clinical trials for patients with refractory or metastatic cancers.

Brand names

FolateImmune

Other names

Folate-targeted immunotherapyFolateImmune with cytokines