IRR spinout published pre-clinical data in Nature demonstrating complete tumour eradication and durable protection in aggressive brain cancer model Trogenix today announces the publication of its pre-clinical data in Nature, reporting complete tumour eradication and durable protection in an aggressive brain cancer model that closely mimics human glioblastoma (GBM). The research supports an innovative approach to potentially achieving curative responses with long-term immunological protectionagainst GBM, the most lethal form of brain cancer. The publication, authored by scientists from the Instutite for Regeneration and Repair, UCL Cancer Institute and The Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, focusses on Trogenix’s proprietary Synthetic Super-Enhancers (SSEs). SSEs are engineered genetic material that are able to selectively turn on or off transcription of genes which are active in glioblastoma. The SSEs are delivered to GBM cells using adeno-associated virus vectors (AAVs).When delivered as a single treatment dose, the study showed significant tumour regression within 1-2 weeks, with complete tumour clearance in 83% of treated cases over the following 2-3 weeks. The study showed that the immune system was activated to precisely target GBM tumours and not the healthy brain cells, and there was no tumour re-growth or toxicity over the 11 months following treatment. This study represents a key validation step before advancing to patient trials. The first patient in Trogenix's upcoming clinical trial for this treatment is due to recieve their dose later this year (2026). This pre-clinical work in an aggressive brain cancer model that closely mimics human glioblastoma has achieved what we thought impossible - complete tumour elimination and long-lasting protection against cancer recurrence without off-target toxicity using a single dose of a single agent. Our Synthetic Super-Enhancer technology combines the dual power of cancer cell killing and immune stimulation through a sophisticated ‘Trojan horse’ precision delivery method with the potential for transforming how we address GBM. We can finally hit the tumour hard and early by using controlled gene therapy that has been designed to be highly selective for the most aggressive cancer cells. We are committed to move these findings as quickly and safely as possible to patients and are optimistic that this can provide a new approach to tackling solid tumours. We look forward to starting our Phase I/II ADePT trial for glioblastoma this year. Professor Steve Pollard Study Lead at the University of Edinburgh and Chief Scientific Officer of Trogenix This work was funded by Cancer Research UK and the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC). Trogenix spun out of the University of Edinburgh in 2024, co-founded by Professor Steve Pollard, based on a decade of research. Read the paper here Steve Pollard's research Trogenix Tags CRM Publication date 08 Apr, 2026
