Virus combo makes solid tumors vulnerable to CAR-T attack in mice

On September 2, 2020 Novartis reported that FDA-approved CAR-T cell therapies like Kymriah, target CD19, an antigen that’s widely expressed in some blood cancers (Press release, Novartis, SEP 2, 2020, View Source [SID1234564481]). But these therapies aren’t useful for treating solid tumors, most of which express such a wide variety of proteins that they lack one clear target. What’s more, solid tumors create an environment that’s so hostile it’s difficult for CAR-T cells to survive, expand and fight the cancer.

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City of Hope scientists say they’ve come up with a potential strategy for making CD19-targeted CAR-T cells work in solid tumors—and it involves a cancer-killing or "oncolytic" virus.

The City of Hope team engineered an oncolytic virus so it would produce a truncated version of CD19 in solid tumor cells. Their idea was that the antigen would travel to the surface of the tumor cells, making them targetable with CD19-directed CAR-T cell therapies. The combination worked in human cancer cells and mouse models, they reported in the journal Science Translational Medicine.

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First, the researchers tried the combination in cells from several solid tumor types, including pancreatic, prostate and ovarian cancer. They found that the virus caused cancer cells to express CD19 long before they could be killed by the virus itself. That created a long enough time window for the CAR-T cells to get to work. The result: widespread killing of cancer cells.

The researchers went on to try the strategy in mouse tumor models. They found that combining the virus with CAR-T cells cured more than half the mice, while only 22% of mice that received the virus alone saw a complete regression of their tumors.

The researchers also discovered that in the animals that received the combination treatment, the virus continued to spread to cancer cells, causing "significantly greater tumor cell killing activity," they wrote in the study. What’s more, when they re-challenged the cured mice with cancer cells, new tumors did not grow, suggesting that the virus-CAR-T combo created tumor-specific immune memory that protected the animals from cancer recurrence.

RELATED: Improving CAR-T therapy for cancer by regulating 2 proteins

Viruses have long been of interest in the oncology research community because of their natural tendency to kill cancer. There is one oncolytic virus on the market, Amgen’s melanoma drug Imlygic, which is a modified form of the herpes virus. Several other viruses are in development, many of which are being tested as part of immunotherapy combination strategies.

In a study earlier this year led by Astellas, researchers used an engineered vaccinia virus particle to deliver the cytokines interleukin-7 (IL-7) and IL-12 into tumors in mice, creating an inflammatory environment that inhibited tumor growth. Combining the virus with drugs that blocked the immune checkpoints CTLA-4 and PD-1 was even more effective at stopping the growth of colorectal tumors in mice.

In the new study, the City of Hope researchers noted that half of the mice didn’t respond to the combination of the oncolytic virus and CAR-T cells, possibly because the treatments induced the checkpoint protein PD-L1. They suggested that combining the virus and CAR-T cells with a checkpoint-blocking drug could be a potential strategy to explore in future studies.

Co-author Saul Priceman, assistant professor of hematology and hematopoietic stem cell transplantation at City of Hope, believes the combination of CAR-T cells with the virus that induces CD19 in solid tumors could help cell therapy reach a wider group of patients. "One of the most exciting prospects of this study is that we may be able to use this or a variation of this for any patient with cancer," Priceman said in a video.

The researchers are planning clinical trials, first to test the safety of their oncolytic virus in people and then to try the combination. They hope to start the trials in 2022.

SHINE closes $80-million

On September 2, 2020 SHINE Medical Technologies LLC, a nuclear technology company focused on becoming the world’s leading producer of medical isotopes, reported that it has closed an $80-million Series C financing (Press release, Shine Medical Technologies, SEP 2, 2020, View Source;pk_kwd=shine-closes-80-million [SID1234564411]). Fidelity Management and Research Company LLC was the largest investor in the round, which also included participation from other new investors and the company’s current investors.

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"SHINE is grateful to Fidelity and all of our investors for providing us the capital to move our product commercialization efforts forward," said Todd Asmuth, president and chief financial officer of SHINE. "SHINE continues to make strong progress in our work to commercialize molybdenum-99, an essential diagnostic isotope, and lutetium-177, a therapeutic isotope that is showing great promise for the treatment of cancer."

SHINE is building a first-of-a-kind medical isotope production facility in Janesville, Wis. The facility will initially produce molybdenum-99, or Mo-99, which is used in more than 40 million patient procedures annually. There has been little or no domestic production of the isotope for decades, causing chronic shortages of Mo-99. These shortages routinely and significantly affect the diagnosis and treatment of patients around the world.

SHINE has off-take agreements with three of the world’s largest Mo-99 distributors for the future supply of Mo-99. The company’s production facility will be capable of supplying more than one-third of the global demand for Mo-99.

Last October, the company created SHINE Therapeutics to focus on critical customer needs in the rapidly growing therapeutic isotope market. The division is working to commercialize lutetium-177, or Lu-177, a therapeutic isotope used to treat prostate, neuroendocrine and other cancers. SHINE’s unique technology enables it to produce non-carrier-added, high specific-activity Lu-177, the form of the isotope most in demand by today’s clinical trial sponsors.

"This funding round will help SHINE’s continuing efforts to commercialize vital diagnostic and therapeutic isotopes that will be created by our revolutionary, responsible production technologies," said Greg Piefer, founder and CEO of SHINE. "The opportunity for SHINE to fill an urgent market need by creating a more robust supply of these isotopes was evident once again as patient supplies were being disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic. This equity round is an affirmation by high-quality investors of our long-term business strategy and the ongoing success of our efforts to build a U.S. production platform that will produce a reliable isotope supply, fill an urgent market need and meet the needs of tens of millions of patients each year."

Final analysis of the observational GioTag study: Sequential afatinib and osimertinib in patients with EGFR mutation-positive non-small cell lung cancer

On September 2, 2020 Boehringer Ingelheim reported the final analysis from GioTag, a real-world retrospective, observational study (Press release, Boehringer Ingelheim, SEP 2, 2020, View Source [SID1234564365]). The study assessed the impact of first-line treatment with Gilotrif (afatinib) followed by osimertinib in Del19/L858R epidermal growth factor receptor mutation-positive (EGFR M+) non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients with acquired T790M mutations, the most common mechanism of resistance to first-and second-generation EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs). Results showed that across the 203 patients included in the analysis, sequential treatment of afatinib followed by osimertinib provided a median overall survival (OS) of 37.6 months (90% confidence interval (CI): 35.5–41.3) and median time to treatment failure (TTF) of 27.7 months (90% CI: 26.7–29.9).

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Dr. Maximilian J. Hochmair, Medical Oncologist, Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Karl Landsteiner Institute and coordinating investigator of the GioTag study said, "The real-world data reported here represent the most mature analysis of OS with sequential afatinib and osimertinib to date. The final GioTag results support the results of our previous analyses, that sequential afatinib and osimertinib treatment could be a feasible and effective therapeutic strategy in a broad, real-world population of patients with EGFR M+ NSCLC who acquire T790M."

Results showed that Asian and Del19-positive patients saw a median OS of 44.8 months (90% CI: 37.0–57.8) and 41.6 months (90% CI: 36.9–45.0) respectively. Median TTF was 37.1 months (90% CI: 28.1–40.3) and 30.0 months (90% CI: 27.6–31.9) for these groups, respectively. In the 31 Asian patients with Del19-positive disease, median OS was 45.7 months (90% CI: 38.2–57.8) and TTF was 40.0 months (90% CI: 36.4–45.0).

Clinical effectiveness was also consistent across patient subgroups which are sometimes unexamined in prospective randomized clinical trials due to poor prognosis characteristics. For these subgroups, median OS was 31 months (90% CI: 19.5–45.0) in patients with stable brain metastases, 36.9 months (90% CI: 33.0–44.8) in patients aged ≥65 years, and 32 months (90% CI: 24.5–34.5) in those with ECOG PS ≥2. TTF for these groups was 22.2 months (90% CI: 16.8–29.9), 27.3 months (90% CI: 20.4-31.3) and 22.2 months (90% CI: 16.0–26.5), respectively.

Bjoern Rueter, M.D., Therapeutic Area Head Oncology, USA, at Boehringer Ingelheim, said, "Resistance to first-line EGFR TKI therapy is an inevitability, making subsequent treatment options following disease progression a key consideration. While no prospective overall survival data are currently available to compare different sequential regimens of EGFR TKIs, the final GioTag study data provide important insight into the use of afatinib followed by osimertinib. The GioTag data suggest a potential for prolonged periods of time on non-chemotherapy treatment in patients with EGFR Del19 who develop T790M mutation-positive tumors."

About GioTag

GioTag was a real-world retrospective, observational study which assessed the impact of first-line treatment with afatinib followed by osimertinib in Del19/L858R EGFR M+ non-small cell lung cancer patients with acquired T790M mutations, the most common mechanism of resistance to first- and second-generation EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs). The study was conducted across ten countries: Austria, Canada, Israel, Italy, Japan, Singapore, Slovenia, Spain, Taiwan and USA; NCT03370770. Data were collected between December 2017 and December 2019. Inclusion was restricted to patients who initiated osimertinib treatment ≥10 months prior to enrolment to avoid early censoring and ensure mature data. A maximum of 15 patients were enrolled per site. Data were sourced either from sites directly approached by Boehringer Ingelheim (n = 77; 38%) or from electronic health records (n = 126; 62%) supplied by Cardinal Health (OH, USA). For quality assurance of the documented patient observations, source data verification was performed on approximately 30% of included patients. Main limitations of this study were its retrospective nature and potential for selection bias. The other main limitation of the study was a lack of a comparator arm, which limits interpretation of the results.

What Is Gilotrif?

Gilotrif is a prescription medicine that is used to treat people with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) that:

has certain (non-resistant) abnormal epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) gene(s). Your healthcare provider will perform a test to make sure that Gilotrif is right for you.
has spread to other parts of the body (metastatic), and
has not been previously treated for metastatic lung cancer
It is not known if Gilotrif is safe and effective in treating people with lung cancer that has resistant abnormal EGFR genes.

or

is used to treat people with squamous cell lung cancer that:

has spread to other parts of the body, and
has been previously treated with chemotherapy that contains platinum.
It is not known if Gilotrif is safe and effective in children.

Important Safety Information for Gilotrif (afatinib) Tablets

Before you take Gilotrif, tell your doctor if you:

have kidney or liver problems
have lung or breathing problems other than lung cancer
have a history of an ulcer, a tear (perforation) in your stomach or intestine, or diverticular disease (inflammation) in parts of your large intestine
have a history of severe dry eye or any other eye problems. Tell your doctor if you wear contact lenses.
have heart problems
have any other medical conditions
are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. Gilotrif can harm your unborn baby.
Females who are able to become pregnant should use effective birth control during treatment with Gilotrif and for at least 2 weeks after your last dose of GILOTRIF. Talk to your doctor about birth control methods that may be right for you.
Tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant or think you are pregnant during treatment with Gilotrif.
are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. It is not known if Gilotrif passes into your breast milk. Do not breastfeed while taking Gilotrif and for 2 weeks after your last dose of Gilotrif. Talk to your doctor about the best way to feed your baby if you take Gilotrif.
Tell your doctor about all the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Gilotrif may affect the way other medicines work, and other medicines may affect the way Gilotrif works. Taking certain medicines with Gilotrif may increase your risk of developing a tear (perforation) in your stomach or intestine.

What to avoid while taking Gilotrif Limit your time in the sun. Gilotrif can make your skin sensitive to sunlight. You could get or have worsening rash or acne. You could get a severe sunburn. Use sunscreen and wear a hat and clothes that cover your skin if you have to be in sunlight during treatment with Gilotrif.

Gilotrif may cause serious side effects, including:

Diarrhea. Diarrhea is common with Gilotrif and may sometimes be severe. Severe diarrhea can cause loss of body fluid (dehydration) and kidney problems that can sometimes lead to death. During your treatment with Gilotrif, your doctor should prescribe medicines to treat diarrhea. Take this medicine exactly as your doctor tells you to. Tell your doctor if you have diarrhea. Get medical attention right away if your diarrhea does not go away or becomes severe.

Skin reactions. Gilotrif can cause redness, rash, and acne. It is important to get treatment for skin reactions as soon as you notice them. Take medicines to help skin reactions exactly as your doctor tells you to. Get medical attention right away if you develop severe skin reactions such as peeling or blistering of the skin, or blisters in your mouth.

Lung or breathing problems. Gilotrif may cause inflammation of the lung that may lead to death. Symptoms may be similar to those symptoms from lung cancer. Tell your doctor right away if you have any new or worsening lung problems, or any combination of the following symptoms: trouble breathing or shortness of breath, cough, or fever.

Liver problems. Gilotrif can cause liver problems that can sometimes lead to death. Tell your doctor right away if you have any symptoms of a liver problem which may include:
yellowing of your skin or the white part of your eyes (jaundice)
dark or brown (tea-colored) urine
pain on the upper right side of your stomach area (abdomen)
bleeding or bruising more easily than normal
feeling very tired
Your doctor will do blood tests to check your liver function during your treatment with Gilotrif.

Tear (perforation) in your stomach or intestine. Tears in your stomach or intestine can happen with Gilotrif and can sometimes lead to death. Your risk of developing a tear in your stomach or intestine may be increased if you:
take certain medicines with Gilotrif including: corticosteroids, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS), and certain other medicines.
have a history of stomach or intestinal ulcers, or if you have had diverticular disease (inflammation in parts of the large intestine)
Get medical help right away if you develop severe stomach-area (abdomen) pain during treatment with Gilotrif.

Eye problems. Tell your doctor right away if you have symptoms of eye problems. Symptoms may include:
eye pain, swelling, redness, or tearing
blurred vision
sensitivity to light
other changes in your vision
Heart problems. Tell your doctor right away if you have any symptoms of a heart problem which may include:
new or worsening shortness of breath while at rest or with activity
cough
tiredness
swelling of your ankles, feet, or legs
feeling that your heart is pounding or racing (palpitations)
sudden weight gain
Your doctor may change your dose, temporarily stop or permanently stop treatment with Gilotrif if you have certain side effects.
The most common side effects of Gilotrif include diarrhea, rash, acne, mouth sores, nail inflammation, dry skin, decreased appetite, nausea, vomiting, and itching.

Gilotrif may cause decreased fertility in females and males. This may affect your ability to have a child. Talk to your doctor if this is a concern for you.

Tell your doctor if you have any side effect that bothers you or that does not go away.

These are not all of the possible side effects of Gilotrif. For more information, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.

You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch or call 1-800-FDA-1088.

MEI Pharma to Release 2020 Fiscal Year End Financial Results and Provide Corporate Update on September 9, 2020

On September 2, 2020 MEI Pharma, Inc. (NASDAQ: MEIP), a late-stage pharmaceutical company focused on advancing new therapies for cancer, reported that the Company will release its 2020 fiscal year end financial results after the close of the U.S. financial markets on September 9, 2020 (Press release, MEI Pharma, SEP 2, 2020, View Source [SID1234564364]). The Company will host a conference call and live webcast with the investment community to provide a corporate overview and update the same day at 5:00 p.m. ET.

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Conference Call & Webcast Information
When: September 9, 2020, 5:00 p.m. ET
Dial-in: (866) 939-3921 (United States) or (678) 302-3550 (International)
Conference ID: 49919899

Please join the conference call at least 10 minutes early to register. You can access the live webcast under the investor relations section of MEI’s website at: www.meipharma.com. A replay of the conference call will be archived under for at least 30 days after the call.

PharmAbcine is presenting at the KSMO 2020

On September 2, 2020 PharmAbcine Inc. (KOSDAQ: 208340ks), a clinical-stage biotechnology company in South Korea, reported that on September 4th, the company will present the interim data of its ongoing IO combo clinical trials at KSMO 2020 (Press release, PharmAbcine, SEP 2, 2020, View Source [SID1234564363]).

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KSMO 2020 is the 13th annual conference hosted by the Korean Society of Medical Oncology (KSMO), the largest cancer organization in South Korea. Through this event, the organization will facilitate meetings among members, promote research in clinical oncology, and cultivate cooperation with clinical oncologists around the world.

Dr. Jin-San Yoo, CEO of PharmAbcine, will present the interim data as of two olinvacimab with pembrolizumab combination trials (Phase 1b), one for mTNBC (metastatic Triple-Negative Breast Cancer) patients and the other for rGBM (recurrent Glioblastoma Multiforme) patients. The first mTNBC patient came in on October 2018 whereas the first rGBM patient came in on January 2019. will end within this year.

"We are honored to be invited and excited to share and discuss interim clinical data with global leading medical oncologists," said Dr. Yoo. "We particularly find the mTNBC data quite encouraging."

Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the organizing committee will hold the conference digitally to ensure the safety of 1428 participants. The event will be broadcasted online for two days of September 3rd and 4th, 2020.