On May 12, 2022 Autolus Therapeutics plc (Nasdaq: AUTL), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing next-generation programmed T cell therapies, reported the online publication of four abstracts submitted to the European Hematology Association (EHA) (Free EHA Whitepaper) Congress to be held June 9-12, 2022. Autolus plans to present more detail on these programs and the next steps in a conference call following the EHA (Free EHA Whitepaper) presentations, on June 13, 2022, details below (Press release, Autolus, MAY 12, 2022, View Source [SID1234614415]).
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"We are delighted to be presenting encouraging early clinical data from four of our pipeline programs, including important additive safety and efficacy data from our lead asset obe-cel in indications beyond adult r/r B-ALL. These data demonstrate the inherent value in both our pipeline and our technology base from which it originates," said Dr. Christian Itin, Chief Executive Officer of Autolus. "With oral presentations on the early safety, tolerability, feasibility and preliminary efficacy of AUTO4 and AUTO1/22, we’re in a great place to evaluate the next strategic steps for these candidates and further build on the data presented here."
Abstracts to be presented:
Title: Safety and preliminary efficacy findings of AUTO4, a TRBC1-targetting CAR, in relapsed/refractory TRBC1 positive selected T Cell Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma LINK
Session Title: Gene therapy and cellular immunotherapy – Clinical 2
Session date and time: Saturday, June 11 – 16:30 – 17:45 CEST
Session room: Hall Strauss 1-2
Final Abstract Code: S261
Presenting Author: Kate Cwynarski
Summary: Peripheral T cell lymphomas (PTCL) are typically aggressive, treatment resistant, and associated with poor prognosis. Finding the right target is challenging because there is a lack of tumor-specific antigens, and pan-T cell depletion leads to immunosuppression. T cell lymphoma is clonal, and tumor cells express either TRBC1 or TRBC2. AUTO4 targets TRBC1+ cells, which allows part of the T cell compartment to be retained. As of 9 February 2022, 9 patients screened for r/r TRBC1+ peripheral T-cell lymphoma have been treated with AUTO4. Two patients had prior stem cell transplantation. After lymphodepletion with Flu/Cy, 3 patients received 25 x 106 CAR T cells, 2 patients received 75 x 106 CAR T cells, 1 patient received 225 x 106 CAR T cells and 3 patients received 450 x 106 CAR T cells. AUTO4 demonstrated a tolerable safety profile, with no patient experiencing any dose limiting toxicities, and no neurotoxicity/immune effector cell-associated neurotoxicity (ICANS). Three patients experienced cytokine release syndrome (CRS) (1 patient with Grade 1, 1 patient with Grade 2 and 1 patient with Grade 3). Of the 9 patients treated, 5 patients had achieved complete metabolic responses (CMR) by PET-CT at Month 1, 1 patient remains with a partial response (PR) 6 months post AUTO4 infusion, and 3 patients did not respond. All 3 patients at the highest dose level achieved a CMR at Month 1.
Title: Dual antigen targeting with co-transduced CD19/22 CAR T cells for relapsed/refractory ALL (AUTO1/22) LINK
Session Title: Gene therapy and cellular immunotherapy – Clinical 1
Session date and time: Saturday, June 11 – 11:30 – 12:45 CEST
Session room: Hall Strauss 1-2
Final Abstract Code: S259
Presenting Author: Sara Ghorashian
Summary: CD19 negative escape is a major cause of relapse after CD19 CAR T cell therapy for relapsed/refractory (r/r) pediatric ALL. To overcome this challenge, AUTO1/22 builds on the favorable safety profile and excellent persistence of obe-cel by combining it with an additional CD22 targeting CAR. As of 8 February 2022, 10 pediatric ALL patients have been treated with AUTO1/22 and 8 are evaluable with >1 month follow-up. 5 of 8 patients had relapsed post allogeneic stem cell transplant (SCT), 4 had received prior Blincyto and 3 had relapsed after prior Kymriah. CRS occurred in 7/8 patients (grade 1 n=2, grade 2 n=5), but severe CRS was not seen. 7 of 8 evaluable patients achieved MRD negative complete response (CR) at 1 month post infusion. Overall, at a median follow up of 4.8 months, 5/8 patients remain in MRD negative CR at last follow up. The study results demonstrate that dual CD19/22 targeting CAR T cells generated by co-transduction show an acceptable safety profile, with robust expansion/persistence and early efficacy in a heavily pre-treated cohort. To date with limited follow-up we have not observed antigen negative relapse but longer follow up is needed.
Title: Safety and efficacy findings of AUTO1, a fast off-rate CD19 CAR, in relapsed/refractory Primary CNS Lymphoma LINK
Session Title: Poster session
Session date and time: Friday, June 10 – 16:30 – 17:45 CEST
Final Abstract Code: P1460
Presenting Author: Claire Roddie
Summary: Relapsed/refractory primary central nervous system lymphoma (PCNSL) has a median overall survival of 2-8 months and few therapeutic options. obe-cel (AUTO1) has previously demonstrated high remission rates, low incidence of CRS/ICANS and long-term persistence, making it a viable treatment option for PCNSL. As of 14 February 2022, the CAROUSEL study enrolled 6 patients with r/r PCNSL where the median prior lines of treatment was 2. 5 patients were infused with IV AUTO1 and 1 patient with intraventricular AUTO1. Following CAR T infusion, Grade 1 and 2 CRS affected 1 and 3 patients respectively and any Grade ICANS was observed in 2 patients with 2 Grade 3 events. AUTO1 engraftment and response was evaluable in 4 patients at 1 month following iv infusion. 2 of 4 patients had no measurable disease at 2 and 6 months of follow up respectively. AUTO1 showed encouraging remission rates and excellent CAR T engraftment/expansion in the blood and CSF. Intraventricular administration was well-tolerated and showed that AUTO1 has activity via that route in a patient who failed IV therapy. Additional patients updated biological data and longer follow up will be presented.
Title: Safety and efficacy findings of AUTO1, a fast off-rate CD19 CAR, in relapsed/refractory B-Cell Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma (B-NHL), and chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL) / Small Lymphocytic Lymphoma (SLL) LINK
Session Title: Poster session
Session date and time: Friday, June 10 – 16:30 – 17:45 CEST
Final Abstract Code: P1459
Presenting Author: Claire Roddie
Summary: obe-cel (AUTO1) has demonstrated an excellent safety profile in previous trials, with low levels of CRS/ICANS and long-term engraftment of CAR T cells, making it an ideal CAR T candidate to evaluate in B-NHL, CLL/SLL. As of 8 February 2022, 19 patients had been infused with AUTO1; 10 with low grade NHL, 6 with DLBCL and 3 with CLL. Patients treated had received a median of 3 prior lines of treatment. Grade 1 CRS was reported in 6/19 and Grade 2 CRS in 3/19. No ICANS was observed in the B-NHL and CLL cohorts. In the lg-NHL and DCBCL cohorts, 10/10 and 4/5 evaluable patients respectively were in CMR post-treatment. Responses were ongoing in 9/10 lg-NHL at 12 months and in 4/4 DLBCL at months 1,3,3 and 6. In the CLL cohort, 2/3 evaluable patients achieved MRD negative remission in the bone marrow with residual small volume lymph nodes by CT at 6 and 3 months of follow up respectively. AUTO1 demonstrated a tolerable safety profile in patients with r/r B-NHL and CLL despite high disease burden. Early data shows excellent complete remission rates and CAR engraftment/expansion. Additional patients, updated data and longer follow up will be presented.
Conference Call
Management will host a conference call and webcast on June 13, 2022 at 7:30 am ET/12:30 pm BST to discuss the EHA (Free EHA Whitepaper) data. To listen to the webcast and view the accompanying slide presentation, please go to the events section of Autolus’ website.
The call may also be accessed by dialing (866) 679-5407 for U.S. and Canada callers or (409) 217-8320 for international callers. Please reference conference ID: 6594553. After the conference call, a replay will be available for one week. To access the replay, please dial (855) 859-2056 for U.S. and Canada callers or (404) 537-3406 for international callers. Please reference conference ID: 6594553.