Kolon Life Science said on the 9th that it published findings in the international oncology journal Frontiers in Oncology confirming that its next-generation anticancer gene therapy candidate significantly reduced tumor size with a single administration in a preclinical prostate cancer study.
The anticancer gene therapy candidate under development, "KLS-3021," is a gene therapy that combines a therapeutic gene that enhances anticancer efficacy with a virus that selectively attacks cancer cells. It directly eliminates cancer cells while activating the immune response to strengthen its anticancer effect.
In this study, KLS-3021 showed a clear inhibitory effect on tumor growth in a prostate cancer animal model even with a single administration. In particular, it demonstrated a stronger tumor-suppressing effect than the standard chemotherapy for prostate cancer, "docetaxel."
The researchers divided subjects into three groups—a placebo group, a docetaxel group, and a KLS-3021 group—to compare treatment effects. As a result, tumors were maintained or grew in the placebo and docetaxel groups, whereas in the KLS-3021 group, tumors disappeared or were markedly reduced.
In addition, when metastasis to lymph nodes occurred, tumor reduction was confirmed in both the primary tumor and metastatic lesions. During the study period, no distinct side effects such as weight loss appeared in the KLS-3021 group, indicating a relatively safe profile without systemic toxicity.
Kim Seon-jin, CEO of Kolon Life Science, said, "KLS-3021 is a substance that could become a new local treatment strategy for prostate cancer," adding, "We plan to further verify its therapeutic effect and safety through clinical trials and expand research beyond prostate cancer to various solid tumors."