SQZ-AAC-HPV

SQZ-AAC-HPV is an investigational autologous cell therapy composed of red blood cells (RBCs) engineered to act as artificial antigen carriers (AACs). These RBCs are modified using Cell Squeeze technology to express immunogenic epitopes from human papillomavirus type 16 (HPV16), specifically targeting the E6 and E7 oncoproteins. The process also incorporates a Toll-like receptor 3 (TLR3) agonist, poly I:C, as an adjuvant to enhance immune activation. The engineered RBCs mimic aged cells by increasing surface phosphatidylserine, promoting their uptake by professional antigen-presenting cells (APCs) in lymphoid organs. This mechanism aims to prime endogenous T cells for antitumor activity against HPV16+ solid tumors. The therapy is being evaluated as both monotherapy and in combination with immune checkpoint inhibitors such as nivolumab and ipilimumab in patients with advanced or metastatic HPV16-positive cancers[1][4][5][6].

Other names

squeezed red blood cells expressing HPV16 epitopesSQZ Activating Antigen Carriers HPVSQZ AAC HPV