Phio Pharmaceuticals Announces Promising Results of Second Cohort from Its Ongoing Clinical Study of PH-762

Clinical Trial Results - Phio Pharmaceuticals reported pathologic complete response (100% tumor clearance) in 2 patients with cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC) from the second cohort of its ongoing Phase 1b clinical study [1] - In the second cohort, 1 patient with cSCC showed a partial response (90% tumor clearance) and 1 patient had stable disease without progression [8] - No dose-limiting toxicities or clinically relevant treatment-emergent adverse events were observed in patients receiving intratumoral PH-762, indicating good tolerability [8] PH-762 and INTASYL Technology - PH-762 is an INTASYL compound designed to silence PD-1, potentially offering a non-surgical treatment for skin cancers [9] - INTASYL siRNA gene silencing technology enhances the ability of immune cells to kill tumor cells and has demonstrated efficacy in adoptive cell therapy [6] - The technology targets and silences genes with high specificity across various cell types and tissues without requiring formulation enhancements [6] Study Design and Progress - The ongoing Phase 1b clinical study (NCT 06014086) evaluates the safety and tolerability of neoadjuvant intratumoral PH-762 in patients with Stages 1, 2, and 4 cSCC, Stage 4 melanoma, and Stage 4 Merkel cell carcinoma [5] - The study has enrolled 6 patients with cSCC and 1 patient with metastatic melanoma to date [8] - The company plans to continue enrollment to assess higher dose concentrations of PH-762 [2] Strategic Vision and Leadership Commentary - The company's vision is to strive for a cancer-free future using INTASYL technology, as stated by CEO Robert Bitterman [2] - Mary Spellman, Phio's acting Chief Medical Officer, expressed encouragement over the profound tumor response and reassuring safety data from the second cohort [2]