Cel-Sci Corporation is currently testing Multikine (Leukocyte Interleukin) as a potential first-line therapy in patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck. Head and Neck cancer is the 7th most common cancer in the world with approximately 600,000 new diagnoses each year (per the National Institute of Health), accounting for 6% of all cancers. The 5-year survival rate for cancer of the Oral Cavity (the indication that Cel-Sci is testing) is approximately 56%, per UK Cancer Research. There are currently no treatments available for advanced primary, not-yet-treated head and neck cancer, which is why Multikine was granted Orphan Drug Status.
The theory behind Multikine is to treat patients before standard therapy (surgery followed by chemo and radiation), activating the body's own immune system to fight the cancer, before it has been weakened by the therapy. The drug is meant to prep the body to fight the cancer more effectively during the Standard of Care therapy.
