Tanya Zhidkova, PhD’s Post

Researchers have reported promising results in a Phase I/II trial involving 37 patients with relapsed or refractory B-cell malignancies who were treated with a cord blood-derived natural killer (NK) chimeric antigen receptor (CAR), a cell therapy targeting CD19. Results showed an overall response (OR) rate of 48.6% 100 days after treatment, with one-year progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) rates of 32% and 68%, respectively. The trial reported an excellent safety profile, with no cases of cytokine release syndrome (CRS), neurotoxicity or graft-versus-host disease. Another key finding of the trial was the importance of allogeneic cord blood donor selection criteria in the manufacture of CAR NK cells. Cord blood units cryopreserved within 24 hours of collection and those with a low content of nucleated red blood cells were associated with significantly better results. CAR NK cells generated from these units resulted in a one-year PFS rate of 69% and an OS rate of 94%, compared with 5% and 48%, respectively, for units with higher nucleated red cell content or longer collection to cryopreservation times. 

Researchers have reported promising results in a Phase I/II trial involving 37 patients with relapsed or refractory B-cell malignancies who were treated with a cord blood-derived natural killer (NK) chimeric antigen receptor (CAR), a cell therapy targeting CD19. Results showed an overall response (OR) rate of 48.6% 100 days after treatment, with one-year progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) rates of 32% and 68%, respectively. The trial reported an excellent safety profile, with no cases of cytokine release syndrome (CRS), neurotoxicity or graft-versus-host disease. Another key finding of the trial was the importance of allogeneic cord blood donor selection criteria in the manufacture of CAR NK cells. Cord blood units cryopreserved within 24 hours of collection and those with a low content of nucleated red blood cells were associated with significantly better results. CAR NK cells generated from these units resulted in a one-year PFS rate of 69% and an OS rate of 94%, compared with 5% and 48%, respectively, for units with higher nucleated red cell content or longer collection to cryopreservation times. 

2024 PEGS BOSTON Summit will take place in Boston from May 13-17, Eastern Time (US).  At this summit, VelaVigo will showcase its VBS102 project (IGF-1R/TSHR BsAb) in the form of a poster presentation: A Novel IGF-1R/TSHR Bispecific Antibody Treatment for Thyroid Eye Disease (TED). Currently in the preclinical research phase, the VBS102 project signifies VelaVigo's innovative breakthrough in treating thyroid-related eye diseases (TED). Thyroid Eye Disease (TED), also known as Graves' ophthalmopathy (GO), is an organ-specific autoimmune disease commonly seen in patients with Graves' disease (GD). To date, only one drug has received international approval for this condition. The novel IGF-1R/TSHR bispecific antibody VBS102, enhances efficacy by simultaneously targeting IGF-1R and TSHR, effectively disrupting their potential crosstalk in Thyroid Eye Disease. This approach offers TED patients an alternative treatment option beyond the current therapies and has the potential to emerge as a leading novel therapy in the field. VBS102 Poster Details: · Project Number: A101 · Project Title: A Novel IGF-1R/TSHR Bispecific Antibody VBS102 Enhances Efficacy by Simultaneously Targeting IGF-1R and TSHR and Disrupting Their Potential Crosstalk in Thyroid Eye Disease · Display Time: May 13-14, 2024 (Eastern Time, 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM) · PEGS Poster Link: https://lnkd.in/g-q2viTs We are excited to share this innovative achievement with our peers in the global biotherapeutics field at the PEGS BOSTON summit and to explore together more advanced treatment options. #PEGSummit #VelaVigo #bispecificantibody

𝐋𝐲𝐞𝐥𝐥 𝐈𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐨𝐩𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐦𝐚 𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬 𝐈𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐏𝐡𝐚𝐬𝐞 𝐈 𝐃𝐚𝐭𝐚 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐂𝐀𝐑-𝐓 𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐩𝐲 𝐋𝐘𝐋𝟕𝟗𝟕 Lyell Immunopharma Lyell Immunopharma has released promising Phase I data for its investigational CAR-T therapy LYL797, despite safety concerns. One patient died from grade 5 respiratory failure on day 41, with no definitive link to the treatment yet established. The study included 20 patients, 16 with triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) and four with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Patients had relapsed or refractory metastatic disease, with an average of six prior therapies. Adverse events were common; over 60% of patients experienced cytokine release syndrome, mostly mild. Pneumonitis occurred in 22% of patients, particularly TNBC patients with lung metastases, and was the most frequent grade 3 or higher toxicity. Prophylactic dexamethasone is now being used to manage pneumonitis. Lyell remains optimistic, highlighting no dose-limiting toxicities in patients without lung involvement and no cases of immune effector cell-associated neurotoxicity syndrome. CSO David Spigel emphasized the known complication of pneumonitis in similar treatments and the company's management protocol. LYL797 targets the ROR1 protein, overexpressed in common cancers, and is enhanced by Lyell’s genetic and epigenetic reprogramming technologies. The Phase I study showed a 40% objective response rate and a 60% clinical benefit rate (CBR) in TNBC patients at the 150 x 10^6 cell dose level, with an overall CBR of 38%. Lyell is advancing LYL797, exploring higher doses for patients without lung involvement and lower doses for those with lung metastases. #CAR_Therapy #ClinicalTrials #CancerResearch #Biotech #LyellImmunopharma #InnovativeMedicine

Safety, efficacy and determinants of response of allogeneic CD19-specific CAR-NK cells in CD19+ B cell tumors: a phase 1/2 trial ✳️ Phase 1/2 trial with cord blood-derived NK cells expressing CAR19/IL-15. ✳️ 48.6% overall response (OR) at both day 30 and day 100. ✳️ 1-year overall survival (68%) and progression-free survival (32%). ✳️ No significant toxicities such as CRS, neurotoxicity, or GVHD. ✳️ Patients who achieved OR had higher levels and longer persistence of CAR-NK cells. Receiving CAR-NK cells from a cord blood unit (CBU) with nucleated red blood cells ≤ 8 × 107 and a collection-to-cryopreservation time ≤ 24 h was the most significant predictor for superior outcome. NK cells from these optimal CBUs were highly functional and enriched in effector-related genes. ✳️ In contrast, NK cells from suboptimal CBUs had upregulation of infammation, hypoxia and cellular stress programs. ClinicalTrials.gov identifer: NCT03056339 https://lnkd.in/dAeDt8t6 #CART #immunotherapy #hematology #clinicaltrial https://lnkd.in/dTB64Rtr

We are so excited about the clinical data on our two lead candidates, BI-1808 and BI-1206, to be presented at ASCO next Saturday. “The number of targets available for antibody therapy is still limited and there is a high unmet medical need for new treatment options since the vast majority of patients do not respond or stop responding to current treatments. We believe that BI-1206 has the potential to be used in combination with CPIs to overcome immunotherapy drug resistance through its unique anti-FcyRIIB action,” said Martin Welschof, Chief Executive Officer of BioInvent. BioInvent’s Chief Medical Officer Andres McAllister added, “The ability of BI-1206 to induce responses in heavily pre-treated patients, including two durable responses and a stable disease lasting for more than 24 months, is encouraging and supports the importance of blocking FcyRIIB to enhance the activity of immune checkpoint inhibitors.” “We are pleased to present these early data from the Phase 1/2a study evaluating BI-1808 as single agent and in combination with pembrolizumab in patients with solid tumors, which support our belief that the product could represent a new class of immunomodulatory agent with the potential to improve the efficacy of cancer therapy. These strong signals of antitumoral activity, especially in these heavily pre-treated patients, are very encouraging,” said Martin Welschof, Chief Executive Officer of BioInvent. Read the two press releases: https://lnkd.in/eughekWr #immunotherapy #immunooncology #antibodytherapeutics #lifescience #biotechnology

Hot off the press 🔥 We are thrilled to announce the publication of our study results in the Journal of Hepatology, showing the outcomes of the cabozantinib single-arm phase 2 trial, an initiative led by the academic community. This marks a significant collaborative effort between the dedicated investigators at Hong Kong and South Korea. The Chinese University of Hong Kong and Asan Medical Center (AMC). 👇 Highlights of this trial 👇 👉This phase 2 trial evaluated the use of cabozantinib after prior use of immunotherapy regimen in hepatocellular carcinoma. 👉The median PFS and OS of cabozantinib were 4.1 and 9.9 months, respectively. 👉When used as second-line therapy following immunotherapy, the median PFS and OS were 4.3 and 14.3 months, respectively. 👉Best radiological response to and the pattern of progression from prior immunotherapy did not impact the survival outcome of cabozantinib.

✅ Seven great reasons to use hyperthermia in non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) treatment:   1️⃣ Therapeutic hyperthermia involves the application of temperatures ranging from 41°C to 44°C. Cancer cells are more vulnerable to heat than healthy cells, making this technique particularly effective. The combination of chemo-hyperthermia produces a synergistic outcome, significantly enhancing the potency of chemotherapy when compared to administration at room temperature. 2️⃣ Mitomycin C remains stable up to 50°C and demonstrates 1.4 times greater activity at 43°C. 3️⃣ Hyperthermia obstructs the development of new blood vessels (angiogenesis) by the tumour mass. 4️⃣ A 10-fold increase in cytotoxicity is observed at 43°C without any additional toxicity to the patient. 5️⃣ Elevated temperatures cause the cancer cell's lipid-protein cell membrane bilayer to become more permeable due to denaturation of cellular membrane and cytosolic proteins. 6️⃣ This leads to an increased intracellular concentration of the chemotherapy drug, directly affecting the cancer cell's DNA – causing strand breaks, hindered transcription, and reduced replication and cell division. 7️⃣ Thermotherapy also has a significant impact on the immune system, enhancing the activation of natural killer cells (NKC) that target any cancer cells displaying heat-shock proteins on their surface. Consequently, the cancer cells contribute to their own destruction through the natural apoptosis process.   The COMBAT BRS (Bladder Recirculation System) is the first system designed to enable thermotherapy (HIVEC®) delivery within precise parameters that optimises chemo-hyperthermia without compromising patient safety, comfort or additional resource requirements. #medicalinnovation #HIVEC #CombatMedical

Advances in the Treatment of Resectable NSCLC: Key Insights From CheckMate 77T, NEOSTAR, and CA209-159 Trials: Clinical research presented at ESMO 2024 highlights the significant survival benefits of perioperative and neoadjuvant immunotherapy with nivolumab and nivolumab plus ipilimumab, while emphasizing the role of biomarkers such as ctDNA and KRAS mutations in guiding treatment decisions. #finance #pharmacy #lifesciences

📃Scientific paper: Neutrophil-to-Lymphocyte and Platelet-to-Lymphocyte Ratios as Prognostic Biomarkers in Unresectable Hepatocellular Carcinoma Treated with Atezolizumab plus Bevacizumab Abstract: SIMPLE SUMMARY: Immunotherapy is now the standard front-line therapy for patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma. However, there remains a substantial proportion of patient who do not respond to this treatment, and few predictive and prognostic biomarkers exist that can identify patients most likely to benefit from immunotherapy. Inflammation plays a role in driving tumor formation and progression. The aim of our study was to evaluate the prognostic utility of two blood-based markers of inflammation, which have the advantage of being easily accessible and inexpensive, and we found that one may predict survival outcomes in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma treated with our current standard of care immunotherapy regimen. ABSTRACT: Systemic inflammation is a key risk factor for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) progression and poor outcomes. Inflammatory markers such as the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) may have prognostic value in HCC treated with standard of care atezolizumab plus bevacizumab (Atezo-Bev). We conducted a multicenter, international retrospective cohort study of patients with unresectable HCC treated with Atezo-Bev to assess the association of NLR and PLR with overall survival (OS), progression-free survival (PFS), and objective response rates. Patients with NLR ≥ 5 had a significantly shorter OS (9.38 vs. 16.79 months, p < 0.001) and PFS (4.90 vs. 7.58 months, p = 0.03) compared to patients with NL... Continued on ES/IODE ➡️ https://etcse.fr/hU0Gq ------- If you find this interesting, feel free to follow, comment and share. We need your help to enhance our visibility, so that our platform continues to serve you.