On June 29, 2023 Devyser reported the launch of two new products, Devyser LynchFAP and Devyser BRCA PALB2 (Press release, Devyser Diagnostics, JUN 29, 2023, View Source [SID1234632986]). These kits offer efficient, targeted, and confident analysis of genes associated with increased cancer risk, such as those involved in Lynch syndrome, and in breast and ovarian cancers.

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New comprehensive solution for Lynch syndrome testing

Devyser LynchFAP provides a comprehensive solution to analyze PMS2 and 9 other genes associated with hereditary colorectal cancer syndromes. Devyser LynchFAP is designed to overcome one of the greatest challenges for Lynch syndrome genetic testing – the localization of genetic variants to PMS2 and its pseudogene PMS2CL. Devyser LynchFAP is the first commercial library prep kit to allow this specific analysis of the PMS2 gene.

With a simple next-generation sequencing (NGS) workflow, this test and dedicated software enable our users to disentangle complex genetics with an intuitive and easy-to-use solution. Devyser is proud to add Devyser LynchFAP to its expanding oncology offering.

The importance of hereditary cancer testing

Colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer worldwide. 10-20% of cases are due to hereditary cancer syndromes such as Lynch syndrome. Having a hereditary cancer syndrome significantly increases an individual’s risk of developing colorectal cancer, among multiple other cancer types. It is estimated that 1 in 300 individuals carry mutations in DNA mismatch repair genes, such as those associated with Lynch syndrome. The challenge is that many people, up to 95% in certain regions, do not know that they carry these mutations.

Targeting the information that matters most

Devyser BRCA PALB2 provides a targeted solution with the simplest commercially available workflow for crucial genetic information related to breast and ovarian cancer. This kit allows for the sequencing of genetic variants in BRCA1, BRCA2, and PALB2, the three most significant genes increasing breast cancer risk. The simplified workflow of Devyser BRCA PALB2 enables fast laboratory implementation and streamlines two applications in one solution – the analysis of genetic variants in DNA from human blood and tumor tissue.

"We are delighted to introduce Devyser LynchFAP and Devyser BRCA PALB2 to the market," says Fredrik Alpsten, CEO of Devyser. "These genetic testing solutions represent a significant advancement in our hereditary cancer offering. By understanding mutations associated with increased cancer risks, our ambition is to enable more personalized care and preventive measures, ultimately saving lives."

Devyser is committed to advancing genetic testing technologies to improve patient outcomes and contribute to the field of personalized medicine. With the launch of Devyser LynchFAP and Devyser BRCA PALB2, the company is taking a significant step towards achieving its mission of enabling early detection and targeted interventions for individuals at risk of hereditary cancer syndromes.

For more information about Devyser’s innovative genetic testing solutions, please visit www.devyser.com or contact [email protected].

On June 29, 2023 Jacobio Pharma (1167.HK), a clinical-stage oncology company drugging the undruggable targets, reported clinical results of its novel KRAS G12C inhibitor glecirasib monotherapy and in combination therapy with cetuximab to treat KRAS G12C mutant advanced CRC (colorectal cancer) in Second JCA- AACR (Free AACR Whitepaper) Precision Medicine International Conference (Press release, Jacobio Pharmaceuticals, JUN 29, 2023, View Source [SID1234632985]).

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In the monotherapy study, overall response rate (ORR) is 33.3% (11/33), disease control rate (DCR) is 90.9% (30/33), mPFS (median progression-free survival) is 6.9 months.

In a trial of glecirasib with cetuximab, ORR is 62.8% (27/43), DCR is 93% (40/43). mPFS has not reached before the data cutoff date on May 23, 2023.

The majority TRAEs (treatment related adverse event) are grades 1-2.

Colorectal cancer is the second most common cancer in China, with about 550,000 new cases per year, of which about 3% of colorectal cancer patients have KRAS G12C mutation. Patients with KRAS G12C mutation are insensitive to existing standard chemotherapies and targeted therapies, have rapid disease progression, short survival, and they have high unmet clinical treatment needs. Glecirasib has potential to bring effective and less toxic treatment option for patients.

About Glecirasib

Glecirasib is Jacobio’s novel KRAS G12C inhibitor. Jacobio has initiated a number of Phase I/II clinical trials in China, the United States and Europe for patients with advanced solid tumors harbouring KRAS G12C mutation, including a pivotal clinical trial int NSCLC in China; a monotherapy study for STK11 co-mutated NSCLC in the front-line setting; combination therapy trials with SHP2 inhibitor JAB-3312, anti-PD-1 antibody and Cetuximab.

On June 29, 2023 Merus N.V. (Nasdaq: MRUS), a clinical-stage oncology company developing innovative, full-length multispecific antibodies (Biclonics and Triclonics) for cancer, reported that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted Breakthrough Therapy Designation (BTD) for zenocutuzumab (Zeno) for the treatment of patients with advanced unresectable or metastatic NRG1 fusion (NRG1+) pancreatic cancer following progression with prior systemic therapy or who have no satisfactory alternative treatment options (Press release, Merus, JUN 29, 2023, View Source [SID1234632984]). This designation for Zeno follows a Fast Track Designation for the treatment of patients with metastatic solid tumors harboring NRG1 gene fusions (NRG1+ cancer) that have progressed on standard of care therapy on January 7, 2021 and Orphan Drug Designation for the treatment of patients with pancreatic cancer on July 27, 2020.

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BTD is supported by data from the ongoing phase 1/2 eNRGy trial and Early Access Program (EAP) which are assessing the safety and anti-tumor activity of Zeno monotherapy in NRG1+ cancer (Phase 1/2: NCT02912949, EAP: NCT04100694). Data from the eNRGy trial and EAP were featured as oral presentations during the 2021 and 2022 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) (Free ASCO Whitepaper) Annual Meetings (Abstract #3003, #105 respectively). As of June 1, 2023, more than 175 patients with NRG1+ cancer have been treated with Zeno monotherapy.

BTD is intended to expedite the development and review of a medicine to treat a serious or life-threatening condition, where preliminary clinical evidence indicates that the drug may demonstrate substantial improvement on clinically significant endpoints over available therapies. BTD allows for more intensive FDA guidance on an efficient drug development program, an organizational commitment involving senior managers, and experienced review staff, as appropriate, in a collaborative, cross-disciplinary review, and eligibility for rolling review and priority review. With this BTD, Merus plans to engage in these discussions with the FDA in an expedited manner, and then provide a further update on the path and timeline to a potential Biologics License Application (BLA) submission.

Merus believes that obtaining a commercialization partnership agreement will be an essential step in bringing Zeno to patients with NRG1+ cancer, if approved.

"We believe the compelling clinical data for Zeno in NRG1+ cancer, and Breakthrough Therapy Designation, provide the opportunity to further engage with the FDA to expedite the review of a potential BLA submission," said Bill Lundberg, M.D., President, Chief Executive Officer of Merus. "Additionally, our intention to partner Zeno is a reflection of our strategy to carefully balance value creation with capital allocation requirements across our portfolio."

Merus plans to provide a clinical update on Zeno in NRG1+ cancer at a major medical conference in 2023.

Further, Merus is evaluating Zeno in combination with androgen deprivation therapy (enzalutamide or abiraterone) in castration resistant prostate cancer (CRPC), irrespective of NRG1+ status. Merus plans to provide initial clinical data on Zeno in CRPC in the second half of 2023. Merus is also evaluating Zeno in combination with afatinib in patients with NRG1+ NSCLC.

About the eNRGy Clinical Trial
Merus is currently enrolling patients in the phase 1/2 eNRGy trial to assess the safety and anti-tumor activity of Zeno monotherapy in NRG1+ cancer. The eNRGy trial consists of three cohorts: NRG1+ pancreatic cancer; NRG1+ non-small cell lung cancer; and other NRG1+ cancer. Further details, including current trial sites, can be found at www.ClinicalTrials.gov and Merus’ trial website at www.nrg1.com or by calling 1-833-NRG-1234.

About Zeno
Zeno is an antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity (ADCC)-enhanced Biclonics that utilizes the Merus Dock & Block mechanism to inhibit the neuregulin/HER3 tumor-signaling pathway in solid tumors with NRG1 fusions (NRG1+ cancer). Through its unique mechanism of binding to HER2 and potently blocking the interaction of HER3 with its ligand NRG1 or NRG1-fusion proteins, Zeno has the potential to be particularly effective against NRG1+ cancer. In preclinical studies, Zeno potently inhibits HER2/HER3 heterodimer formation thereby inhibiting oncogenic signaling pathways, leading to inhibition of tumor cell proliferation and blocking tumor cell survival.

On June 29, 2023 Corvus Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq: CRVS), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company, reported new preclinical data for ciforadenant, the Company’s adenosine 2A receptor inhibitor, highlighting its mechanism of action and synergy with immune checkpoint inhibitors via combination with anti-CTLA-4 and anti-PD-1 therapies (Press release, Corvus Pharmaceuticals, JUN 29, 2023, View Source [SID1234632983]). The data is being presented in a poster at the 2nd Japanese Cancer Association and American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) (Free AACR Whitepaper) (JCA-AACR) Precision Cancer Medicine International Conference, which is taking place June 28-30, 2023 in Kyoto, Japan.

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"Our presentation at the JCA-AACR conference further supports the rationale for the synergistic combination of ciforadenant with checkpoint inhibitors to leverage multiple components of the immune response to cancer," said Richard A. Miller, M.D., co-founder, president and chief executive officer of Corvus. "We are exploring this combination in a Phase 1b/2 clinical trial that is being led by the Kidney Cancer Research Consortium. The clinical trial is exploring the potential of ciforadenant as a first line therapy for metastatic renal cell cancer in combination with anti-CTLA-4 and anti-PD-1 therapies, and is based on preclinical research published in 2018 demonstrating synergy when ciforadenant was combined with anti-CTLA-4 and anti-PD-1 therapies1. Enrollment in the clinical trial is ongoing and we plan to share initial data before the end of 2023."

Ciforadenant Data Presented at JCA-AACR Conference
The new ciforadenant preclinical data was presented by Dan Li, Ph.D., Senior Scientist at Corvus, in a poster session (abstract #12-1) today at the JCA-AACR conference. The poster is available to JCA-AACR attendees in the poster session and is also available on the Publications and Presentations page of the Corvus website. The poster presentation highlights preclinical data supporting the synergy between ciforadenant and immune checkpoint blockade (ICB), leading to a proinflammatory response:

Depletion of myeloid cells abolished the synergy of ciforadenant and ICB in a murine melanoma model.
The combination of ciforadenant with ICB upregulated the genes involved in the IL-12/STAT4 signaling axis, which leads to the development of CXCR3+ IFNγ-producing Th1 helper cells.
Ciforadenant treatment increased production of chemokine CXCL10, a ligand for recruitment of CXCR3+ Th1 helper cells into the tumor.
Ciforadenant modulated antitumor responses by turning the tumor microenvironment into the proinflammatory state.
The combination of ciforadenant with ICB promoted the production of several proinflammatory cytokines such as IL-6, TNFa, and IFNg.
About Corvus Pharmaceuticals
Corvus Pharmaceuticals is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company pioneering the development of ITK inhibition as a new approach to immunotherapy for a broad range of cancer and immune diseases. The Company’s lead product candidate is CPI-818, an investigational, oral, small molecule drug that selectively inhibits ITK and is in a mid-stage clinical trial for patients with T cell lymphoma. Its other clinical-stage candidates are being developed for a variety of cancer indications. For more information, visit www.corvuspharma.com.

About Ciforadenant
Ciforadenant (CPI-444) is an investigational small molecule, oral, checkpoint inhibitor designed to disable a tumor’s ability to subvert attack by the immune system by blocking the binding of adenosine in the tumor microenvironment to the A2A receptor. Adenosine, a metabolite of ATP (adenosine tri-phosphate), is produced within the tumor microenvironment where it may bind to the adenosine A2A receptor present on immune cells and block their activity.

On June 29, 2023 AstraZeneca reported updated results from the HIMALAYA Phase III trial showed Imfinzi (durvalumab) plus Imjudo (tremelimumab) demonstrated a sustained, clinically meaningful overall survival (OS) benefit at four years for patients with unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) who had not received prior systemic therapy and were not eligible for localised treatment (Press release, AstraZeneca, JUN 29, 2023, View Source [SID1234632982]).

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These results from HIMALAYA will be presented today at the 2023 European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) (Free ESMO Whitepaper) World Congress on Gastrointestinal Cancer in Barcelona, Spain (abstract #SO-15).

At four years of follow-up, these latest data show that a single priming dose of Imjudo added to Imfinzi, called the STRIDE regimen (Single Tremelimumab Regular Interval Durvalumab), reduced the risk of death by 22% compared to sorafenib (based on a hazard ratio [HR] of 0.78; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.67-0.92; 78% data maturity). An estimated 25.2% of patients treated with the STRIDE regimen were alive at four years versus 15.1% for those treated with sorafenib. An ad-hoc exploratory analysis showed that the treatment effects of the STRIDE regimen versus sorafenib were consistent across all clinically relevant subgroups of patients, as well as those surviving at least three years, regardless of the underlying disease cause (hepatitis B virus [HBV], hepatitis C virus [HCV] or nonviral) or other baseline demographics.

Bruno Sangro, MD, PhD, Director of the Liver Unit and Professor of Internal Medicine at Clínica Universidad de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain and a lead investigator in the trial, said: "Historically, only seven per cent of patients with advanced liver cancer have survived five years, making the HIMALAYA long-term survival data especially meaningful. One in four patients treated with the STRIDE regimen were still alive at four years, reinforcing this novel regimen as a standard of care in this setting."

Susan Galbraith, Executive Vice President, Oncology R&D, AstraZeneca, said: "The remarkable four-year survival benefit shown with Imfinzi and Imjudo in this advanced liver cancer setting supports the use of the STRIDE regimen to treat a broad, eligible patient population globally. These latest results from HIMALAYA are part of a series of clinical trials aiming to deliver innovative treatments for patients at different stages of liver cancer."

Summary of updated results: HIMALAYA

STRIDE regimen

Sorafenib

OSi, ii

(n=393)

(n=389)

Number of patients with events (%)

291 (74.0)

316 (81.2)

Median OS, in months (95% CI)

16.4 (14.2-19.6)

13.8 (12.3-16.1)

Median duration of follow-up in censored patients, in months (95% CI)

49.12

(46.95-50.17)

47.31

(45.08-49.15)

Hazard ratio (95% CI)

0.78 (0.67-0.92)

p-value (2-sided)

0.0037

OS rate at 36 months

30.7%

19.8%

OS rate at 48 months

25.2%

15.1%

i. Updated analysis data cut-off: 23 January 2023, with 78% overall OS data maturity

ii. OS HRs and 95% CIs were calculated using a Cox proportional hazards model adjusting for treatment, aetiology, ECOG performance status, and macrovascular invasion. The OS rate at 36-months had a nominal 2-sided p-value of 0.0006.

The safety profile of the STRIDE regimen was consistent with the known profiles of each medicine, and no new safety signals were observed with longer follow-up. Serious treatment-related adverse events (TRAEs), defined as Grade 3 or 4 and including death, were experienced by 17.5% of patients treated with the STRIDE regimen versus 9.6% of patients treated with sorafenib, with no new events occurring after the primary analysis for STRIDE (17.5%).

Imfinzi in combination with Imjudo is approved for the treatment of adults with advanced or unresectable HCC in the US, EU (in the 1st-line setting), Japan and several other countries. Imfinzi monotherapy is also approved in Japan in this setting.

Notes

Liver cancer
Liver cancer is the third-leading cause of cancer death and the sixth most commonly diagnosed cancer worldwide.1,2 About 75% of all primary liver cancers in adults are HCC.3 Advanced-stage HCC prognosis is poor, with a 5-year survival rate of only 7%.4 Between 80-90% of all patients with HCC also have cirrhosis.3 Chronic liver diseases such as cirrhosis are associated with inflammation that over time can lead to the development of HCC.5

More than half of patients are diagnosed at advanced stages of the disease, often when symptoms first appear.6 A critical unmet need exists for patients with HCC who face limited treatment options. The unique immune environment of liver cancer provides clear rationale for investigating medications that harness the power of the immune system to treat HCC.6

HIMALAYA
HIMALAYA is a randomised, open-label, multicentre, global Phase III trial of Imfinzi monotherapy and a regimen comprising a single priming dose of Imjudo 300mg added to Imfinzi 1500mg followed by Imfinzi every four weeks (STRIDE regimen) versus sorafenib, a standard-of-care multi-kinase inhibitor.

The trial included a total of 1,324 randomised patients with unresectable, advanced HCC who had not been treated with prior systemic therapy and were not eligible for locoregional therapy (treatment localised to the liver and surrounding tissue).

The trial was conducted in 181 centres across 16 countries, including in the US, Canada, Europe, South America and Asia. The primary endpoint was OS for the combination versus sorafenib and key secondary endpoints included OS for Imfinzi versus sorafenib, objective response rate and progression-free survival (PFS) for the combination and for Imfinzi alone.

Imfinzi
Imfinzi (durvalumab) is a human monoclonal antibody that binds to the PD-L1 protein and blocks the interaction of PD-L1 with the PD-1 and CD80 proteins, countering the tumour’s immune-evading tactics and releasing the inhibition of immune responses.

Imfinzi is approved in combination with chemotherapy (gemcitabine plus cisplatin) in locally advanced or metastatic biliary tract cancer (BTC) and in combination with Imjudo (tremelimumab) in unresectable HCC in the US, EU, Japan and several other countries based on the TOPAZ-1 and HIMALAYA Phase III trials, respectively.

In addition to its indications in gastrointestinal (GI) cancers, Imfinzi is the only approved immunotherapy and the global standard of care in the curative-intent setting of unresectable, Stage III non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) in patients whose disease has not progressed after chemoradiation therapy based on the PACIFIC Phase III trial.

Imfinzi is also approved in the US, EU, Japan, China and many other countries around the world for the treatment of extensive-stage small-cell lung cancer (SCLC) based on the CASPIAN Phase III trial. Additionally, Imfinzi is approved in combination with a short course of Imjudo and chemotherapy for the treatment of metastatic NSCLC in the US, EU and Japan based on the POSEIDON Phase III trial. Imfinzi is approved in previously treated patients with advanced bladder cancer in a small number of countries.

Since the first approval in May 2017, more than 200,000 patients have been treated with Imfinzi.

As part of a broad development programme, Imfinzi is being tested as a single treatment and in combinations with other anti-cancer treatments for patients with SCLC, NSCLC, bladder cancer, several GI cancers, ovarian cancer, endometrial cancer and other solid tumours. In 2023, AstraZeneca announced positive results for Phase III trials including combinations with Imfinzi in ovarian (DUO-O) and endometrial (DUO-E) cancers, as well as in resectable NSCLC (AEGEAN).

In GI cancers specifically, AstraZeneca has several ongoing registrational trials investigating Imfinzi across multiple liver cancer settings (EMERALD-1, EMERALD-2 and EMERALD-3), in resectable gastric and gastroesophageal junction cancers (MATTERHORN) and in locally advanced oesophageal cancer (KUNLUN). In June 2023, Imfinzi added to standard-of-care neoadjuvant chemotherapy met a key secondary endpoint of pathologic complete response in the MATTERHORN Phase III trial.

Imjudo
Imjudo (tremelimumab) is a human monoclonal antibody that targets the activity of cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated protein 4 (CTLA-4). Imjudo blocks the activity of CTLA-4, contributing to T-cell activation, priming the immune response to cancer and fostering cancer cell death.

In addition to its approved indications in liver and lung cancers, Imjudo is being tested in combination with Imfinzi across multiple tumour types including locoregional HCC (EMERALD-3), SCLC (ADRIATIC) and bladder cancer (VOLGA and NILE).

AstraZeneca in GI cancers
AstraZeneca has a broad development programme for the treatment of GI cancers across several medicines and a variety of tumour types and stages of disease. In 2020, GI cancers collectively represented approximately 5.1 million new cancer cases leading to approximately 3.6 million deaths.7

Within this programme, the Company is committed to improving outcomes in gastric, liver, biliary tract, oesophageal, pancreatic and colorectal cancers.

In addition to its indications in BTC and HCC, Imfinzi is being assessed in combinations, including with Imjudo, in liver, oesophageal and gastric cancers in an extensive development programme spanning early to late-stage disease across settings.

Enhertu (trastuzumab deruxtecan), a HER2-directed antibody drug conjugate, is approved in the US and several other countries for HER2-positive advanced gastric cancer and is being assessed in colorectal cancer. Enhertu is jointly developed and commercialised by AstraZeneca and Daiichi Sankyo.

Lynparza (olaparib), a first-in-class PARP inhibitor, is approved the US and several other countries for the treatment of BRCA-mutated metastatic pancreatic cancer. Lynparza is developed and commercialised in collaboration with MSD (Merck & Co., Inc. inside the US and Canada).

AstraZeneca also recently entered into a global exclusive license agreement with KYM Biosciences Inc. for CMG901. CMG901 is a potential first-in-class antibody drug conjugate targeting Claudin 18.2, a promising therapeutic target in gastric cancer, currently in Phase I development.