Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor “Atezolizumab” Significantly Improves Progression Free Survival in Patients with Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Compared with Chemotherapy in the IMpower150 Study

On November 21, 2017 Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. (TOKYO: 4519) reported atezolizumab and combination of chemotherapy demonstrated a statistically significant improvement in progression free survival (PFS), one of the co-primary endpoints of the phase III IMpower150 study, compared with combination of chemotherapy in previously untreated patients with stage IV non-squamous non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) (Press release, Chugai, NOV 21, 2017, View Source [SID1234522179]). The IMpower150 study was designed to evaluate atezolizumab with combination of chemotherapy (atezolizumab, carboplatin, paclitaxel and bevacizumab) compared to combination of chemotherapy (carboplatin, paclitaxel and bevacizumab) in the first line treatment patients with stage IV non-squamous NSCLC. Initial observations for another co-primary endpoint of overall survival (OS) analysis are encouraging. These data are not fully mature and the next OS analysis will be expected in the first half of 2018. The safety profile of atezolizumab and bevacizumab plus chemotherapy combination appeared consistent with the known safety profile of the individual medicines, and no new safety signals were identified with the combination. The data of the IMpower150 study will be presented at the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) (Free ESMO Whitepaper) Immuno Oncology Congress in Geneva, Switzerland in December 2017.

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"Lung cancer is third most frequent cancer among Japanese1). High unmet medical needs exist especially in advanced non-squamous NSCLC. We are pleased that the combination of atezolizumab and chemotherapy demonstrated an improved PFS this segment compared to chemotherapy alone," said Dr. Yasushi Ito, Senior Vice President and Head of the Project Life Cycle Management Unit. "OS will be also investigated in future data analyses. We hope atezolizumab can further bring benefits to patients by showing improvement in OS."

About the IMpower150 Study
The global phase III, multi-center, open label, randomized controlled study designed to evaluate the safety and the efficacy of atezolizumab in combination of chemotherapy compared to chemotherapy in previously untreated patients with stage IV non-squamous NSCLC.

The study’s co-primary endpoints include:
PFS in all randomized people without an ALK or EGFR genetic mutation (intent to treat wild type, ITT-WT) and T-effector gene signature, "Teff" selected sub group people. This analysis of the study’s endpoint of PFS was only statistically powered to demonstrate a comparison between Arm B versus Arm C.
OS in ITT-WT population
Study design
1,202 patients were randomized into Arm A to C groups in a 1:1:1 ratio to receive the following treatment regimens once every three weeks. Treatment with atezolizumab was continued as long as the principal investigator determined that the patient was receiving a clinical benefit or until an unacceptable adverse event was confirmed.
Arm A atezolizumab (1,200mg IV) + carboplatin (AUC 6) + paclitaxel (200mg/m2 IV)
Arm B atezolizumab (1,200mg IV) + carboplatin (AUC 6) + paclitaxel (200mg/m2 IV) + bevacizumab (15mg/kg IV)
Arm C carboplatin (AUC 6) + paclitaxel (200mg/m2 IV) + bevacizumab (15mg/kg IV)

10-Q – Quarterly report [Sections 13 or 15(d)]

Oncbiomune has filed a 10-Q – Quarterly report [Sections 13 or 15(d)] with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (Filing, 10-Q, OncBioMune Pharmaceuticals, 2017, NOV 20, 2017, View Source [SID1234522178]).

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10-Q – Quarterly report [Sections 13 or 15(d)]

GenSpera has filed a 10-Q – Quarterly report [Sections 13 or 15(d)] with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (Filing, 10-Q, GenSpera, 2017, NOV 20, 2017, View Source [SID1234522171]).

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PRIMA BIOMED CHANGES ITS NAME TO IMMUTEP LTD

On November 20, 2017 Prima BioMed Ltd (ASX: PRR; NASDAQ: PBMD) ("Prima" or the "Company") reported rebranding of the Company from Prima BioMed Ltd to Immutep Ltd ("Immutep") following shareholder approval at its Annual General Meeting on 17 November 2017 (Press release, Prima Biomed, NOV 20, 2017, View Source [SID1234522200]).

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Following the acquisition of Immutep S.A.S (the Company’s 100% owned subsidiary in France) in December 2014 and subsequent sale under license of the Company’s former cancer vaccine CVac to Sydys Corporation, its sole focus has been on developing its portfolio of LAG-3 based immunotherapy assets.
The name Immutep has a strong association with LAG-3 and its founder, Prima’s Chief Scientific Officer and Chief Medical Officer, Dr Frederic Triebel. Additionally, many of the Company’s clinical partner associations are with Immutep and several patents remain registered under the Immutep name.

CEO Marc Voigt said: "As the global leader in LAG-3, the name Immutep better represents our corporate identity and activities. As it is already embedded in our day to day operations, costs associated with the rebrand will be minimal so it makes both strategic and economic sense. Immutep is already associated with LAG-3 and we see this as an important step in building awareness of our market position and exciting asset portfolio."
Subject to relevant regulatory approvals, the Company’s new ASX Code will be ‘IMM’ and its new Nasdaq code will be ‘IMMP’.

The effective date for the name change and the ticker codes on the ASX and NASDAQ will be on or around the commencement of trading on Friday, 1 December 2017.
Further shareholder information regarding the change of name can be accessed on the Company’s website www.primabiomed.com.au.

Daiichi Sankyo Initiates Pivotal Phase 2 Study of DS-8201 in Patients with HER2-Positive Advanced Gastric Cancer

On November 20, 2017 Daiichi Sankyo Company, Limited (hereafter, Daiichi Sankyo) reported the first patient has been enrolled in DESTINY-Gastric01, a pivotal phase 2 study in Japan and South Korea evaluating the safety and efficacy of DS-8201, an investigational HER2-targeting antibody drug conjugate (ADC), in patients with HER2-positive advanced gastric or gastroesophageal junction adenocarcinoma resistant or refractory to trastuzumab (Press release, Daiichi Sankyo, NOV 20, 2017, View Source [SID1234522175]).

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"Japan and South Korea have some of the highest rates of gastric cancer worldwide and there have been limited advances in targeted treatments over the past decade," said Koichi Akahane, PhD, MBA, Executive Officer, Head of Oncology Function, R&D Division, Daiichi Sankyo. "The initiation of this pivotal study will allow us to evaluate whether the smart delivery of chemotherapy with DS-8201 may be a potential new treatment option to help address the high unmet medical need of gastric cancer."

Approximately one in five gastric cancers overexpress HER2, a tyrosine kinase receptor growth-promoting protein found on the surface of some cancer cells.1 HER2-expressing gastric cancer is an area of unmet medical need as advances in the treatment of the disease have been limited, largely due to its genetic complexity and heterogeneity.2 Currently, no approved HER2-targeting therapy options exist for patients with HER2-positive advanced gastric cancer after trastuzumab.

"We are excited to initiate this second pivotal study of DS-8201 as it represents an important next step to accelerate the development of DS-8201," said Antoine Yver, MD, MSc, Executive Vice President and Global Head, Oncology Research and Development, Daiichi Sankyo. "With limited treatment options available for advanced gastric cancer, including no approved antibody drug conjugate, we are exploring the potential of DS-8201 as a new treatment option for this type of HER2-expressing cancer."

About DESTINY-Gastric01
DESTINY-Gastric01 is a pivotal phase 2, open-label study investigating the safety and efficacy of DS-8201 in patients with HER2-expressing advanced gastric cancer or gastroesophageal junction adenocarcinoma (defined as IHC3+ or IHC2+/ISH+) who have progressed on two prior regimens including fluoropyrimidine agent, platinum agent and trastuzumab. Patients will be randomized 2:1 to DS-8201 or physician’s choice of treatment (paclitaxel or irinotecan monotherapy). The primary endpoint of the study is objective response rate. Secondary endpoints include progression-free survival, overall survival, duration of response, disease control rate, time to treatment failure, pharmacokinetics and safety.

DESTINY-Gastric01 also will include two non-randomized exploratory cohorts to examine the safety and efficacy of DS-8201 in patients with HER2 low-expressing advanced gastric cancer, who have not been treated previously with a HER2-targeting therapy. The first exploratory cohort will enroll patients with HER2 low-expression defined as IHC2+/ISH-, and the second exploratory cohort will include HER2 low-expression defined as IHC1+.

The study is expected to enroll up to 180 patients in the pivotal cohort and 40 patients in the exploratory cohorts in Japan and South Korea. For more information about this clinical trial, visit www.ClinicalTrials.gov.