MedPacto Inc

Celloram Inc., University Hospitals, and Case Western Reserve University have unveiled PROTEXI, a novel cancer vaccine platform that harnesses pre-existing immune memory from SARS-CoV-2 infection or vaccination to fight cancer. Published in Nature Communications, the study shows PROTEXI pairs tumor-specific antigens with SARS-CoV-2 Spike protein epitopes to convert dormant antiviral memory into a catalyst for antitumor immunity. In preclinical models of melanoma and breast cancer, the vaccine slowed tumor growth, improved survival, and transformed immune-cold tumors into more recognizable targets, with enhanced effects when combined with MedPacto’s TGF-β inhibitor vactosertib or anti-PD-1 checkpoint inhibitors. The platform leverages antiviral CD4⁺ helper T-cell immunity to strengthen tumor-specific CD8⁺ cytotoxic T-cell responses and generate durable antitumor memory. Celloram and University Hospitals are now advancing PROTEXI toward first-in-human clinical trials in sarcoma patients.