GSK announces further positive data from DREAMM-1 study of anti-BCMA antibody-drug conjugate in patients with relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma

On March 21, 2019 GlaxoSmithKline plc (LSE/NYSE: GSK) reported further positive data from the DREAMM-1 study of patients with relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma who received GSK2857916, an investigational anti-B-cell maturation antigen (BCMA) antibody-drug conjugate (Press release, GlaxoSmithKline, MAR 21, 2019, View Source [SID1234534544]). These results, published in Blood Cancer Journal (link) build upon results from the pre-specified interim analysis, which were first presented at the American Society of Haematology Congress in 2017.

These new data confirm that 60% of patients receiving GSK2857916 achieved an overall response rate (ORR). This ORR was identical to the rate previously reported in the interim analysis, after more than a year of follow-up, and demonstrates not only the potential efficacy of the medicine but the durability and depth of response. The number of patients achieving a complete response increased to 15% over this additional one year follow-up period. The median progression-free survival (PFS) was 12 months (95% CI [3.1-Not Estimable/NE]), an increase from the previously reported 7.9 months PFS. The median duration of response in the final analysis was 14.3 months (95% CI [10.6-NE]). All patients whose data were reported in the interim analysis were included in this analysis.

Dr Hal Barron, Chief Scientific Officer and President, R&D, GSK, commented, "These data are very encouraging and I am excited by what they could mean for people living with multiple myeloma. We are aggressively advancing this potential new medicine and plan to have pivotal data to support its filing by the end of this year."

A total of 35 patients were enrolled in Part 2 of the DREAMM-1 study independent of their BCMA expression levels. Amongst those heavily pre-treated patients not previously treated with the anti-CD38 monoclonal antibody, daratumumab, the ORR was 71% (95% CI [47.8%,88.7%]) with a mPFS of 15.7 months, (95% CI [2.3-NE]). In those patients who had previously been treated with daratumumab, the ORR was 38.5%; (95% CI [13.9-68.4]) with a mPFS of 7.9 months (95% CI [2.3-NE]).

No new safety signals were identified during this treatment period. The most commonly reported adverse events were thrombocytopenia (63%), blurred vision (51%), cough (40%), which were mostly mild or moderate (Grade 1 or 2). The most commonly reported Grade 3 or 4 adverse events were thrombocytopenia (35%) and anemia (17%) and were found to be manageable.

Paul Giusti, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation (MMRF), said, "Significant advancements have been made in our knowledge, understanding and the treatment of multiple myeloma in the past decade, but there is so much more that we as a community need to do to accelerate better outcomes and quality of life for patients. Relapses are particularly challenging, so the need for treatment advances is a priority at the MMRF to ensure our patients can benefit from them in the future. We are encouraged by the results from this early study, and we look forward to seeing additional data later this year."

Multiple myeloma is the second most common blood cancer in the United States[i] and is generally considered treatable but not curable. Multiple myeloma commonly becomes refractory to available treatments, so research into new treatments is vital.

In 2017, GSK2857916 was awarded Breakthrough Therapy designation from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and PRIME designation from the European Medicines Agency; these designations are intended to facilitate development of investigational medicines that have shown clinical promise for conditions where there is significant unmet need.

About the DREAMM-1 study (NCT02064387)
DREAMM-1 is a first-in-human, open-label study of GSK2857916 to investigate the safety, pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, immunogenicity and clinical activity of the antibody drug conjugate GSK2857916 in patients with relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma and other advanced haematologic malignancies expressing BCMA. The primary objective is safety; additional objectives include: response rate, pharmacokinetics and immunogenicity. The study consists of two parts: a dose escalation phase in which patients received GSK2857916 at escalating doses and a dose expansion phase in which all patients received GSK2857916 at the recommended phase 2 dose.

About B-cell maturation antigen (BCMA)
The normal function of BCMA is to promote plasma cell survival by transduction of signals from two known ligands, BAFF and APRIL. This pathway has been shown to be important for myeloma cell growth and survival. BCMA expression is limited to B cells at later stages of development. BCMA is expressed at varying levels in myeloma patients and BCMA membrane expression is universally detected in myeloma cell lines[iii].

About the DREAMM Clinical Trial Programme for GSK2857916 (GSK’916)
GSK2857916 is an antibody-drug conjugate comprising a humanised anti-B cell maturation antigen (BCMA) monoclonal antibody conjugated to the cytotoxic agent auristatin F via non-cleavable linker. The drug linker technology is licensed from Seattle Genetics; monoclonal antibody is produced using technology licensed from BioWa.

GSK’916 is currently in clinical development in patients with relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma and other advanced haematologic malignancies expressing BCMA.

Trial Name
GSK ID/NCT ID
Status
Design
DREAMM-1
117159/ NCT02064387
Completed

DREAMM-2
205678/NCT03525678

Ongoing; recruitment complete
A Study to Investigate the Efficacy and Safety of Two Doses of GSK’916 in Subjects With Multiple Myeloma Who Have Failed Prior Treatment With an Anti-CD38 Antibody
DREAMM-3
207495
Planned
A Phase III Open-Label, Randomized Study to Evaluate the Efficacy and Safety of GSK’916 Compared to Pomalidomide plus low-dose Dexamethasone (Pom/Dex) in Participants with Relapsed/Refractory Multiple Myeloma
DREAMM-4
205207/NCT03848845

Recruiting
A Phase I/II Single Arm Open-Label Study to Explore Safety and Clinical Activity of GSK’916 Administered in Combination With Pembrolizumab in Subjects With Relapsed/Refractory Multiple Myeloma
DREAMM-5
208887

Planned
A Phase I/II, Randomized, Open-label Platform Study of GSK’916 with Innovative Combination Anti-Cancer Treatments in Participants with Relapsed/Refractory Multiple Myeloma
DREAMM-6
207497/NCT03544281
Recruiting
Evaluate Safety, Tolerability, and Clinical Activity of GSK’916 Administered in Combination With Lenalidomide Plus Dexamethasone (Arm A), or in Combination With Bortezomib Plus Dexamethasone (Arm B) in Subjects With Relapsed/Refractory Multiple Myeloma
DREAMM-7

207503
Planned
Phase III study of GSK’916, bortezomib, and dexamethasone versus daratumumab, bortezomib, and dexamethasone in participants with relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma
DREAMM-8
207499
Planned
A Phase III, Multicenter, Open-Label, Randomized Study to Evaluate the Efficacy and Safety of GSK’916 in Combination with Pomalidomide and Low-Dose Dexamethasone (GSK’916+Pd) versus Pomalidomide plus Bortezomib and Low-Dose Dexamethasone (PVd) in Participants with Relapsed/Refractory Multiple Myeloma
DREAMM-9
209664
Planned
A phase III study of GSK916 + Standard of Care (SOC) vs. SOC in first line transplant ineligible multiple myeloma patients
DREAMM-10
207500
Planned
‘916+novel agent vs SOC

GSK2857916 is not currently approved for use anywhere in the world.

GSK in Oncology
GSK is focused on delivering transformational therapies for people living with cancer. GSK’s pipeline is focused on immuno-oncology, cell therapy and cancer epigenetics. Our goal is to achieve a sustainable flow of new treatments based on a diversified portfolio of investigational medicines utilising modalities such as small molecules, antibodies, antibody drug conjugates and cells, either alone or in combination.

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Biocept to Release 2018 Fourth Quarter and Full Year Financial Results and Host Investor Conference Call on March 28, 2019

On March 21, 2019 Biocept, Inc. (NASDAQ: BIOC), a molecular diagnostics company commercializing and developing proprietary liquid biopsy tests that provide clinically actionable information to physicians to improve cancer treatment, reported that it will release financial results for the three and 12 months ended December 31, 2018, after the market closes on Thursday, March 28, 2019 (Press release, Biocept, MAR 21, 2019, View Source [SID1234534563]). The Company will host a conference call for the investment community to discuss the results and answer questions at 4:30 p.m. Eastern time (1:30 p.m. Pacific time).

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Individuals interested in participating on the conference call may do so by dialing (855) 656-0927 for domestic callers, (855) 669-9657 for Canadian callers, or (412) 902-4109 for other international callers. Those interested in listening to a webcast of the live conference call may do so by visiting View Source

A replay of the conference call will be available for 48 hours following the conclusion of the call by dialing (877) 344-7529 for domestic callers, (855) 669-9658 for Canadian callers, or (412) 317-0088 for other international callers, and entering the replay access code 10128915. A webcast replay will be available for 90 days at http://ir.biocept.com/events.cfm.

Heat Biologics to Present at the Chinese Society for Clinical Oncology Conference on Immunotherapy

On March 21, 2019 Heat Biologics,Inc. (NASDAQ: HTBX), a biopharmaceutical company developing immunotherapies designed to activate a patient’s immune system against cancer, reported an oral presentation to be held at the Chinese Society for Clinical Oncology (CSCO) Conference on Immunotherapy, endorsed by the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) (Free AACR Whitepaper), taking place in Shanghai, China (Press release, Heat Biologics, MAR 21, 2019, View Source [SID1234534527]). The oral session will be held on March 22, 2019 from 17:00 China Standard Time. Management will present the interim results of the Phase 2 Lung Cancer Data on HS-110 + Nivolumab that were presented at the ASCO (Free ASCO Whitepaper)-SITC Clinical Immuno-Oncology Symposium on February 28, 2019.

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Details of the presentation are as follows:

Title: Viagenpumatucel-L (HS-110) plus nivolumab in patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC)

Oral Session: March 22, 2019; 17:00 China Standard Time (March 22, 2019; 2:00 Pacific Time)

Location: Main Conference Room (Powerlong Ballroom), Le Meridien Shanghai Minhang Hotel, Shanghai, China

The AACR (Free AACR Whitepaper) is proud to work with the Chinese Society for Clinical Oncology (CSCO) and endorse this conference, which will take place on March 22-23, 2019, in Shanghai, China. The program will bring together researchers from the United States, China, and around the world to share the latest developments focusing on translational to clinical applications of immunotherapy with an emphasis on cancers with high incidence in the region. Each session will feature speakers from both China and abroad and offer ample opportunity to foster international scientific exchange.

Altimmune to Announce Year End 2018 Financial Results on April 2

On March 21, 2019 Altimmune, Inc. (Nasdaq: ALT), a clinical-stage immunotherapeutics company, reported that it will announce financial results for the year ended December 31, 2018 before the market open and host a conference call on Tuesday, April 2, 2019 (Press release, Altimmune, MAR 21, 2019, View Source [SID1234534545]).

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Conference Call Details
Date: Tuesday, April 2
Time: 8:30am Eastern Time
Domestic: 877-423-9813
International: 201-689-8573
Conference ID: 13687672
Webcast: View Source

Epic Sciences to Present New Data at AACR 2019 Demonstrating Expansion of Functional Cell Profiling Technology into New Indications including Breast, Lung and Prostate Cancer

On March 21, 2019 Epic Sciences, Inc. reported that new data will be presented at the American Association of Cancer Research (AACR) (Free AACR Whitepaper) Annual Meeting 2019, in Atlanta, Georgia, March 29 to April 4, 2019 (Press release, Epic Sciences, MAR 21, 2019, View Source [SID1234534564]). The data from multiple studies and indications demonstrate the feasibility of Epic’s Functional Cell Profiling (FCP) technology to predict patients’ response to cancer immunotherapies and drugs that target DNA damage repair pathways.

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Epic’s FCP technology platform identifies and characterizes all circulating tumor cells in a blood sample to link their response or resistance to several drug classes. Following the highly successful development of Epic’s proprietary AR-V7 test for patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer, currently marketed as the Oncotype DX AR-V7 Nucleus Detect test, the company and its research partners are utilizing the FCP platform to analyze biomarkers to guide treatment decisions in breast cancer and small-cell lung cancer, expanding into new areas of unmet need.

"For years, Epic Sciences has been transforming late-stage prostate cancer treatment with our powerfully predictive Functional Cell Profiling technology by providing a comprehensive view of how populations of cancer cells change under selective pressure of different drug classes," said Katherine Atkinson, Chief Commercial Officer at Epic Sciences. "At AACR (Free AACR Whitepaper), we are presenting new data that demonstrates our technology’s significant value can be applied to new indications and drug classes in development, in addition to late stage prostate cancer, potentially improving the lives of many more patients."

Following are the AACR (Free AACR Whitepaper) 2019 posters and presentations:

Oral Presentation:

Title: Liquid Biopsies: From Validation to Clinical Utility
Session Description: Discussion of the development and clinical application of validated circulating tumor cell (CTC) and cell-free DNA assays to determine prognosis, predict response to treatment, identify mechanisms of resistance to guide future treatment, and assess drug effects.
Chairperson & Presentation: Howard I. Scher, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center; Predictive biomarkers in circulating tumor cells to direct management of metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC)
Session Date and Time: April 1, 2019, 2:05 pm – 2:30 pm ET

Poster Presentations:

Title: HER2, AR protein expression and chromosomal instability in circulating tumor cells (CTCs) of metastatic breast cancer (MBC) patients (pts)
Session Category and Title: Clinical Research: Current Developments in Non-invasive Biomarkers for Assessment of Cancer 1
Session Date and Time: Sunday, March 31, 2019 1:00 pm – 5:00 pm ET

Title: Genomic instability as a marker of poor prognosis in advanced prostate cancer: Subclonal insights from whole-genome sequencing of single circulating tumor cells
Session Category and Title: Clinical Research: Current Developments in Non-invasive Biomarkers for Assessment of Cancer 1
Session Date and Time: Sunday, March 31, 2019, 1:00 pm – 5:00 pm ET

Title: Characterization of SLFN11 protein expression in circulating tumor cells (CTCs) of patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) prior to platinum based chemotherapy
Session Category and Title: Clinical Research: Circulating and Cell-free Biomarkers for Diagnosis and Monitoring of Cancer 2
Session Date and Time: Monday, April 1, 2019, 8:00 am – 12:00 pm ET

Title: Comparison of the Epic CTC HRD assay vs. tumor DDR mutations in metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) patients (pts)
Session Category and Title: Clinical Research: Circulating and Cell-free Biomarkers for Diagnosis and Monitoring of Cancer 3
Session Date and Time: Monday, April 1, 2019, 1:00 pm – 5:00 pm ET

Title: Single-cell analyses reveal increasing intratumoral heterogeneity as an essential component of treatment resistance in small-cell lung cancer
Session Category and Title: Tumor Biology: Tumor Evolution and Heterogeneity 1
Session Date and Time: Tuesday, April 2, 2019 8:00 am – 12:00 pm ET

Title: Evaluation of pharmacokinetics of proxalutamide, a novel androgen receptor antagonist, in treatment for mCRPC patients via CTC enumeration and AR biomarker analysis
Session Category and Title: Experimental and Molecular Therapeutics: Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics/Preclinical Toxicology
Session Date and Time: Tuesday, April 2, 2019, 1:00 pm – 5:00 pm ET

Title: Simultaneous quantification of activated immune cells and PD-L1 expressing circulating tumor cells (CTCs) in peripheral blood of cancer patients receiving checkpoint inhibitor therapy
Session Category and Title: Immunology: Biomarkers and Immune Monitoring
Session Date and Time: Tuesday, April 2, 2019, 1:00 pm – 5:00 pm ET