Journal of Stem Cell Research & Therapy

Enhanced delivery of DNA-based vaccines and immunotherapeutics through next-generation electroporation devices

4^th International Conference and Exhibition on Cell & Gene Therapy

August 10-12, 2015 London, UK

Stephanie Ramos

Scientific Tracks Abstracts: J Stem Cell Res Ther

Abstract:

It is well established that injection of naked DNA vaccines alone is insufficient to generate clinically relevant immune responses
due to inefficient cellular uptake. Over the past two decades, researchers have attempted to improve in vivo DNA delivery
through multiple physical or chemical methods including in vivo electroporation (EP). Inovio Pharmaceuticals has recently
demonstrated the potential of EP delivery technology for a therapeutic DNA vaccine in a Phase II clinical trial for HPVassociated
cervical dysplasia. Therapeutic vaccination of CIN2/3 patients with VGX-3100, a highly optimized HPV-16/18
DNA vaccine administered by CELLECTRA® EP device resulted in robust cellular and humoral immune responses, significant
viral clearance and importantly significant regression to CIN1 or no disease. Inovio is currently developing additional EP
devices for DNA delivery to a variety of tissues such as muscle, skin and adipose tissue. Here we will discuss the impact of these
devices on in vivo DNA uptake and how different EP strategies can be used to optimize delivery of DNA-based vaccines and
immunotherapeutics for a variety of therapeutic indications.

Biography :

Stephanie Ramos obtained her BS degree in Molecular Biology at the University of California, San Diego and her PhD in Molecular Biology, Genetics and
Biochemistry at the University of California, Irvine. She has a broad background in immunology and research and development of small molecule and DNA-based
therapeutics for a variety of indications including autoimmune disorders, cancers and viral infections. She is currently a Senior Scientist at Inovio Pharmaceuticals
where her particular area of focus is preclinical research and development of DNA-based therapeutics and optimization of in vivo DNA delivery strategies.