The difference between ZIOP and Oncosec is in their delivery platform. Ziop uses an adenoviral vector to deliver a virus into the cell and instruct the production of the IL-12 cytokine.
“Adenoviruses are medium-sized (90–100 nm), nonenveloped (naked) icosahedral viruses composed of a nucleocapsid and a double-stranded linear DNA genome. There are over 51 different serotypes in humans, which are responsible for 5–10% of upper respiratory infections in children, and many infections in adults as well. When these viruses infect a host cell, they introduce their DNA molecule into the host. The genetic material of the adenoviruses is not incorporated (transient) into the host cell's genetic material. The DNA molecule is left free in the nucleus of the host cell, and the instructions in this extra DNA molecule are transcribed just like any other gene. The only difference is that these extra genes are not replicated when the cell is about to undergo cell division so the descendants of that cell will not have the extra gene. As a result, treatment with the adenovirus will require readministration in a growing cell population although the absence of integration into the host cell's genome should prevent the type of cancer seen in the SCID trials. This vector system has shown real promise in treating cancer and indeed the first gene therapy product (Gendicine) to be licensed is an adenovirus to treat cancer.”
Notice the major differences from the Immunopulse platform. For starters, the gene does not reproduce when the cell undergoes cell division, therefore therapy with the dangerous virus will be lengthy, with the risk of over producing IL-12. On the other hand, electroporation allows placing IL-12 as needed, directly into the cell and getting the job done faster while avoiding dealing with the problem of controlling the production of IL-12, but rather avoiding any toxicity from the interleukin. But the major difference that we should soon find out results on, is that Ziop’s therapy will work mainly on responders, while Oncosec’s can actually change the cell’s behavior and allowing the non-responder cells to be instructed.
