On March 20, 2017 Dynavax Technologies Corporation (NASDAQ: DVAX) reported that it will be presenting data on three programs based on stimulation of the immune response using Toll-Like Receptor 9 (TLR9) agonists at the 2017 American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) (Free AACR Whitepaper) Annual Meeting in Washington, D.C. from April 1-5, 2017 (Press release, Dynavax Technologies, MAR 20, 2017, View Source [SID1234518213]). Schedule your 30 min Free 1stOncology Demo! Dynavax is presenting data which summarizes the clinical responses and biomarker assessments from an ongoing Phase 1b/2 study investigating SD-101, Dynavax’s intratumoral TLR9 agonist, in combination with KEYTRUDA (pembrolizumab), an anti-PD-1 therapy developed by Merck (known as MSD outside the United States and Canada). The results provide insight into the immune mechanisms underpinning the activity of SD-101 and its effect on the tumor microenvironment.
Discover why more than 1,500 members use 1stOncology™ to excel in:
Early/Late Stage Pipeline Development - Target Scouting - Clinical Biomarkers - Indication Selection & Expansion - BD&L Contacts - Conference Reports - Combinatorial Drug Settings - Companion Diagnostics - Drug Repositioning - First-in-class Analysis - Competitive Analysis - Deals & Licensing
Schedule Your 30 min Free Demo!
Dynavax is also presenting preclinical data demonstrating significant anti-tumor activity of an inhaled TLR9 agonist in mice bearing lung tumors. This treatment highlights the synergy of the TLR9 agonist with anti-PD-1 leading to further reduction of both lung tumor burden and metastases in other organs along with long-term survival of treated mice. These studies provide the rationale for the development of DV281, a TLR9 agonist optimized for aerosol delivery. DV281, in combination with anti-PD-1 therapy, will enter clinical studies in non-small cell lung carcinoma patients later this year.
A third presentation shows that intratumoral vaccination with nanoparticles incorporating tumor antigen peptides and a TLR9 agonist provides anti-tumor immunity superior to conventional subcutaneous vaccination. Direct intratumoral vaccination using this novel vaccine platform and mode of administration significantly increases both the magnitude and functional activity of vaccine-primed cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) and enhances control of metastatic disease.
The details of the poster presentations are as follows:
Pharmacodynamic changes confirm the mechanism of action mediating SD-101 efficacy, in combination with pembrolizumab, in a phase 1b/2 study in metastatic melanoma (MEL-01)
Abstract: LB-239
Category: Late-Breaking Research: Clinical Research 2 / Endocrinology
Date/Time: Tuesday, Apr 4, 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. ET
Location: Poster section 34; Board number 5
Development of an inhaled TLR9 agonist for the immunotherapy of lung cancer
Abstract: 5741
Category: Clinical Research
Date/Time: Tuesday, Apr 4, 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. ET
Location: Poster section 30; Board number 12
Intratumoral administration of a TLR9-adjuvanted nanoparticle cancer vaccine stimulates more effective immunity in both injected and un-injected tumor sites compared to subcutaneous administration
Abstract: 6000
Category: Immunology
Date/Time: Wednesday, Apr 5, 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Location: Poster section 24; Board number 28
About SD-101
SD-101 is Dynavax’s proprietary, second-generation, TLR9 agonist CpG-C class oligodeoxynucleotide. SD-101 is being studied for its multiple anti-tumor activities in innate immune cells and activation of plasmacytoid dendritic cells to stimulate T cells specific for antigens released from dying tumor cells. TLR9 agonists such as SD-101 enhance T and B cell responses and provide potent Type 1 interferon induction and maturation of plasmacytoid dendritic cells to antigen-presenting cells. SD-101 is being evaluated in several Phase 1/2 oncology studies to assess its safety and activity.
For information about SD-101 trials that are currently recruiting patients, please visit www.clinicaltrials.gov.