On May 30, 2025 Agenus Inc. (Nasdaq: AGEN), a leader in immuno-oncology, reported new translational data at the 2025 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) (Free ASCO Whitepaper) Annual Meeting (Press release, Agenus, MAY 30, 2025, View Source [SID1234653525]). The study demonstrates that botensilimab-based therapy induces a robust and persistent T cell immune response in microsatellite stable (MSS), or mismatch repair proficient (pMMR), metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC)—a tumor type traditionally resistant to immunotherapy and representing approximately 85-95% of all colorectal cancers. T cells are key immune cells capable of recognizing and attacking cancer cells. Activating these typically ‘cold’ tumors and driving a strong T cell response suggests that botensilimab has the potential to overcome resistance and improve patient outcomes.
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The research was led by Dr. Gertjan Rasschaert of Leuven University Hospitals in collaboration with Agenus, KU Leuven, and Omniscope. This joint effort brings together global leaders in immuno-oncology and advanced immune profiling technologies.
"These data provide clinical evidence of botensilimab’s unique ability to enhance T-cell priming, activation, and diversity—key mechanisms that help render ‘cold,’ poorly immunogenic MSS colorectal tumors visible to the immune system," said Dr. Dhan Chand, PhD, Vice President of Research at Agenus. "Our findings offer new insight into how patients with immunotherapy-resistant colorectal cancer are responding at the immune level and highlight botensilimab’s potential to activate immune responses in tumors that have historically been unresponsive."
Data Highlights:
Fast T cell priming and activation: T-cells begin activating within two weeks of starting botensilimab.
Robustly expands and sustains T cell activity: Newly primed T cells persist and expand across treatment cycles, correlating with improved clinical responses.
Immune activity detected before scans: Immune-profiling tests detect this activity even when standard imaging hasn’t yet caught a response.
Blood signals predict benefit: A quick blood draw can reveal early immune markers that help doctors identify who is most likely to respond and live longer.
"We’re seeing — at the immune level — how botensilimab can help the body recognize and attack pMMR colorectal cancer, a form of the disease that has historically resisted immunotherapy and represents the vast majority of colorectal cancer cases," said Dr. Steven O’Day, Chief Medical Officer at Agenus. "By activating T cells and making these typically ‘cold’ tumors visible to the immune system, botensilimab is showing real promise in overcoming resistance and opening the door to better outcomes for patients who previously had limited options."
Presentation Details:
The presentation will be available on the publications section of the Agenus website at View Source on the date of the poster session.
Presentation Title: Monitoring botensilimab and balstilimab induced T cell dynamics in refractory mismatch repair proficient metastatic colorectal cancer.
Presenting Author: Dr. Gertjan Rasschaert
Poster Session: Gastrointestinal Cancer—Colorectal and Anal
Session Date and Time: May 31st, 2025; 9:00 AM-12:00 PM CDT
Abstract Number: 3527
Poster Number: 196
About Botensilimab (BOT)
Botensilimab is a human Fc enhanced CTLA-4 blocking antibody designed to boost both innate and adaptive anti-tumor immune responses. Its novel design leverages mechanisms of action to extend immunotherapy benefits to "cold" tumors which generally respond poorly to standard of care or are refractory to conventional PD-1/CTLA-4 therapies and investigational therapies. Botensilimab augments immune responses across a wide range of tumor types by priming and activating T cells, downregulating intratumoral regulatory T cells, activating myeloid cells and inducing long-term memory responses.
Approximately 1,100 patients have been treated with botensilimab in phase 1 and phase 2 clinical trials. Botensilimab alone, or in combination with Agenus’ investigational PD-1 antibody, balstilimab, has shown clinical responses across nine metastatic, late-line cancers. For more information about botensilimab trials, visit www.clinicaltrials.gov.
About Balstilimab (BAL)
Balstilimab is a novel, fully human monoclonal immunoglobulin G4 (IgG4) designed to block PD-1 (programmed cell death protein 1) from interacting with its ligands PD-L1 and PD-L2. It has been evaluated in >900 patients to date and has demonstrated clinical activity and a favorable tolerability profile in several tumor types.