AACR Abstracts have been posted. Thoughts on these results from...

AACR Abstracts have been posted. Thoughts on these results from people would be appreciated.

CT215 / 15 - Frontline vaccination with the B-cell peptide compound HER-Vaxx (IMU-131), combined with standard-of-care chemotherapy induces high levels of HER2-specific antibodies mediating ADCC and intracellular phosphorylation inhibition resulting in overall survival benefit in patients with HER2+ metastatic or advanced gastric/GEJ adenocarcinoma - Final results from Phase II/HERIZON study

Abstract Background: HER2, a member of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) family, is overexpressed in approximately 30% of gastric cancers. HER-Vaxx is a B cell peptide-based anti-HER2 vaccine (IMU-131) comprising trastuzumab’s binding site. Here, we present the results of the randomized open-label, multicenter phase 2 HERIZON trial (NCT02795988), which compared HER-Vaxx plus chemotherapy to chemotherapy alone. The study aimed to evaluate clinical (primary endpoint) and antibody (secondary endpoint) responses in patients with HER2-overexpressing gastric/gastro-esophageal junction (GC) cancer naïve to anti HER2 therapy.Methods: Patients were randomized to chemotherapy alone (n=17) or HER-Vaxx (50µg, recommended phase 2 dose) plus chemotherapy (n=19). In the HER-Vaxx group, patients received the vaccine at days 0, 14, 35, and 77, then every 63 days until disease progression. Chemotherapy consisted of oxaliplatin plus capecitabine and was started at day 0, repeated every 21 days for a maximum of 6 cycles. The clinical responses were assessed by RECIST 1.1 criteria. FACS analysis of PBMCs for immunophenotyping was carried out, as well as in vitro phosphorylation inhibition assays of HER2 and the signaling pathway kinases Akt and MAPK, and mediation of ADCC to characterize the vaccine-induced IgG antibodies.Results: A 42% survival benefit for patients treated with HER-Vaxx plus chemotherapy [median overall survival: 13.9 months (7.5, 14.3)] compared to chemotherapy alone [mOS: 8.3 months (6.0, 9.6)] was shown, which translated into an OS HR of 0.580 (80% 2-sided CI: 0.362, 0.927). A highly significant HER2-specific IgG and IgG1 antibody response at all time points, particularly after 3 or more doses of HER-Vaxx were induced (P<0.001). The HER-Vaxx antibody response correlated well with mediating ADCC (IgG, P=0.003; IgG1, P=0.05) and the anti-tumor effect (IgG, P=0.001; IgG1, P=0.016). Moreover, the HER-Vaxx-induced IgG antibodies exhibited binding to the gastric cancer cell line N87, with capacity to inhibit HER2 signaling pathway kinases Akt and MAPK phosphorylation. It also demonstrated decreased levels of Foxp3+ Tregs (P=0.0013).Conclusions: The previously shown safety profile of HER-Vaxx, along with the improved clinical and antibody responses in HER2-overexpressing GC patients shown here, validate the proof of concept for a first-in-class B-cell immunotherapy based on HER2 B-cell peptides. Clinical trials evaluating further treatment with HER-Vaxx in HER2+ GC are ongoing.


CT182 / 10 - Oncolytic virus CF33-hNIS for the treatment of advanced cancer

Background: CF33-hNIS is a novel vaccinia virus engineered with the human sodium-iodide symporter (hNIS) gene. CF33-hNIS selectively replicates in tumor cells and promotes anti-tumor immunity. Here, we report results on a first-in-human phase 1 dose escalation study of CF33-hNIS, administered intratumorally (IT) or intravenously (IV) in adult patients with metastatic or advanced solid tumors (MAST).Methods: The MAST study is evaluating the safety of CF33-hNIS administered IT or IV, alone or in combination with pembrolizumab in patients with advanced or metastatic solid tumors with ≥ 2 prior lines of therapy (NCT05346484). CF33-hNIS is administered in 21-day cycles on C1D1 and C1D8, then D1 of each cycle thereafter. Pembrolizumab begins C2D1 for the combination groups and is administered Q3W. The study consists of two parts. Part 1 follows a 3+3 dose escalation scheme independent of each route of CF33-hNIS administration (IT and IV) and for each therapy regimen (monotherapy and combination therapy) with up to 7 dose levels of CF33-hNIS ranging from 8.6x105 to 3.0x109 PFU. Part 2 is a cohort expansion in select indications at the optimal dose. The co-primary endpoints are safety and identification of the recommended phase 2 dose. Secondary endpoints include objective response rate according to RECIST v1.1 and iRECIST, and assessment of viral replication in tumor lesions via Single-Photon Emission Computerized Tomography (SPECT).Results: As of Dec 2023, 36 patients have been treated in Part 1 of the study with a median age of 59 (range 23-81). Twenty-two (61%) patients were heavily pretreated with ≥3 prior lines of systemic therapy, and 14 (39%) received prior treatment with checkpoint blockade. Treatment-related adverse events consisted predominantly of ‘flu-like’ symptoms, such as grade 1/2: fatigue (31%), pyrexia (22%), and chills (14%). No dose-limiting toxicities have occurred. The highest dose treated to date is 1.1x108 PFU by IT and IV delivery; dose escalation continues. In the IT cohorts (14 patients), 7 of 15 (47%) injected lesions had a reduction in tumor burden, three lesions were completely eradicated. Three patients (21%) had an objective response: one complete response by iRECIST in a patient with cholangiocarcinoma; and two partial responses in patients with melanoma by RECIST. In IV cohorts (17 patients), 53% of patients achieved stable disease as their best response. Patients who received prior checkpoint blockade therapy derived clinical benefit with and without pembrolizumab. Viral replication, assessed by SPECT was higher in patients that saw a reduction in tumor burden. Immunological changes in peripheral blood and tumor biopsies will be presented.Conclusions: CF33-hNIS alone or in combination with pembrolizumab is a safe treatment option for advanced cancer patients. Encouraging efficacy has warranted advancement to part 2 of this study with a cohort expansion of patients with cholangiocarcinoma and other tumor types.