On November 7, 2022 Curis, Inc. (NASDAQ: CRIS), a biotechnology company focused on the development of innovative therapeutics for the treatment of cancer, reported that the Company along with its collaborative partners will be presenting three posters at the upcoming 37th Annual Meeting of the Society for Immunotherapy of Cancer (SITC) (Free SITC Whitepaper) (SITC 2022) being held in Boston, MA and virtually from November 8th to November 12th (Press release, Curis, NOV 7, 2022, View Source [SID1234623234]).
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"We are pleased to have three posters at SITC (Free SITC Whitepaper) this year," said James Dentzer, President and Chief Executive Officer of Curis. "The presentation on emavusertib follows prior research demonstrating emavusertib reaching therapeutic concentrations in brain metastases and how emavusertib might be useful in helping patients with melanoma that has metastasized to the brain by enhancing the effect of anti-PD1 therapy. Two presentations on CI-8993 describe work on our anti-VISTA antibody’s pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic profile in the clinic and Curis’s investigation of potential biomarkers to help guide therapy."
Presentations
Emavusertib
Abstract Title: Immune modulation of melanoma brain metastases by IRAK-4 inhibition
Abstract Number: 1111
Session Type/Title: Poster/Immune-stimulants and immune modulators
Session Date and Time: Thursday, November 10, 11:40 a.m.-1:10 p.m. & 7:30 p.m.-9:00 p.m. ET
CI-8993
Abstract Title: Pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic data from a Phase 1 Study of CI-8993 Anti-VISTA Antibody in Patients with Advanced Solid Tumors
Abstract Number: 761
Session Type/Title: Poster/Clinical Trials in Progress
Session Date and Time: Thursday, November 10, 11:40 a.m.-1:10 p.m. & 7:30 p.m.-9:00 p.m. ET
Abstract Title: Development of VISTA-centric tumor immunophenotyping as a novel approach for identification of potential biomarkers for anti-VISTA therapy
Abstract Number: 20
Session Type/Title: Poster/ Biomarkers, Immune Monitoring and Novel Technologies
Session Date and Time: Friday, November 11, 11:55 a.m.-1:25 p.m. & 7:00 p.m.-8:30 p.m. ET
About Emavusertib (CA-4948)
Emavusertib is an IRAK4 kinase inhibitor and IRAK4 plays an essential role in the toll-like receptor (TLR) and interleukin-1 receptor (IL-1R) signaling pathways, which are frequently dysregulated in patients with cancer. TLRs and the IL-1R family signal through the adaptor protein MYD88, which results in the assembly and activation of IRAK4, initiating a signaling cascade that induces cytokine and survival factor expression mediated by the NF-κB protein complex. Additionally, third parties have recently discovered that the long form of IRAK4 (IRAK4-L) is oncogenic and preferentially expressed in over half of patients with AML and MDS. The overexpression of IRAK4-L is believed to be driven by a variety of factors, including specific spliceosome mutation such as SF3B1 and U2AF1. In addition to inhibiting IRAK4, emavusertib was also designed to inhibit FLT3, a known oncologic driver, which may provide additional benefit in patients with AML and MDS.
About CI-8993
CI-8993 is a monoclonal IgG1κ antibody with active Fc, designed to antagonize the V-domain Ig suppressor of T-cell activation (VISTA) signaling pathway. VISTA is a novel negative checkpoint ligand expressed on myeloid cells and T cells that is homologous to PD-1/PD-L1. VISTA enhances T cell quiescence and myeloid derived immune suppressor cells (MDSCs). CI-8993 relieves negative regulation by hematopoietic cells and enhances protective anti-tumor immunity. Preclinically, VISTA monoclonal antibody treatment increased the number of tumor-specific T cells in the periphery, and enhanced the infiltration, proliferation and effector function of tumor-reactive T cells within the tumor microenvironment (TME). VISTA blockade alters the suppressive feature of the TME by decreasing the presence of monocytic and granulocytic MDSCs and increasing the presence of activated dendritic cells (DCs) within the TME leading to enhanced T cell mediated immunity. VISTA monoclonal antibody administration as a monotherapy has been shown to suppress the growth of both transplantable and inducible melanoma in preclinical models. CI-8993 was originally developed as part of a license and collaboration agreement between ImmuNext and Janssen Biotech, Inc (Janssen). In 2016, Janssen initiated clinical development of CI-8993 in a Phase 1 study of CI-8993 in patients with advanced solid tumors. The study enrolled 12 patients, in which one patient experienced dose-limiting side effects related to cytokine release syndrome. Afterwards, Janssen opted to close the study and ImmuNext regained control of the asset. Curis is engaged in a collaboration with ImmuNext for the development of CI-8993.