Arcus Biosciences Announces Clinical Trial Collaboration Agreement to Evaluate Casdatifan in Combination with Volrustomig in Renal Cell Carcinoma

On October 2, 2024 Arcus Biosciences, Inc. (NYSE:RCUS), a clinical-stage, global biopharmaceutical company focused on developing differentiated molecules and combination therapies for people with cancer, reported a clinical trial collaboration agreement with AstraZeneca (LSE/STO/Nasdaq: AZN) to evaluate casdatifan (AB521), Arcus’s investigational HIF-2a inhibitor, in combination with volrustomig, AstraZeneca’s investigational PD-1/CTLA-4 bispecific antibody, in patients with ccRCC (Press release, Arcus Biosciences, OCT 2, 2024, View Source [SID1234647009]).

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"We believe casdatifan has best-in-class potential, based on the observed PK and PD profiles and the emerging clinical data from our ARC-20 study in patients with ccRCC," said Terry Rosen, Ph.D., chief executive officer of Arcus. "This agreement will enable Arcus and AstraZeneca to collaborate and assess the potential for the novel combination of casdatifan with volrustomig to improve outcomes for patients with ccRCC."

"Renal cell carcinoma is a known CTLA-4-responsive tumor type, and our first-in-human study with volrustomig monotherapy demonstrated encouraging efficacy in first-line advanced ccRCC," said Cristian Massacesi, chief medical officer and oncology chief development officer, AstraZeneca. "We are excited by the potential to build on this by combining HIF-2a inhibition with volrustomig to drive deeper and more durable responses for patients."

As part of this collaboration, AstraZeneca will sponsor and operationalize a study to evaluate the safety and early efficacy of the casdatifan plus volrustomig combination in patients with advanced ccRCC.

This is the second clinical collaboration between Arcus and AstraZeneca. In 2020, the companies announced a clinical collaboration for PACIFIC-8, a registrational Phase 3 study of domvanalimab, an Fc-silent anti-TIGIT antibody, added to backbone global standard-of-care durvalumab, an anti-PD-L1 antibody, in patients with unresectable Stage III non-small cell lung cancer.

Under the Gilead and Arcus collaboration agreement, Gilead has the right to opt-in to development and commercialization for casdatifan after Arcus’s delivery of a qualifying data package.

About Casdatifan (AB521)

Casdatifan is a small-molecule inhibitor of HIF-2a, a transcription factor involved in oxygen sensing in multiple organs as well as in tumors. Clear cell RCC is almost universally associated with HIF-2a dysregulation as a result of genetic abnormalities in the VHL pathway. This creates a situation of pseudohypoxia and the abnormal increase in HIF-2a-mediated expression of a wide array of proteins involved in cancer cell proliferation and survival, treatment resistance and angiogenesis. Casdatifan is being evaluated in ARC-20, a Phase 1/1b study in cancer patients, and STELLAR-009, a Phase 1b/2 study in combination with zanzalintinib in patients with advanced solid tumors, including ccRCC.

Casdatifan and domvanalimab are investigational molecules. Approval from any regulatory authority for any use of these molecules globally has not been received, and their safety and efficacy have not been established.

About RCC

According to the American Cancer Society, kidney cancer is among the top 10 most commonly diagnosed forms of cancer among both men and women in the U.S., and an estimated 81,600 Americans will be diagnosed with kidney cancer in 2024. Clear cell RCC is the most common type of kidney cancer in adults. If detected in its early stages, the five-year survival rate for RCC is high; for patients with advanced or late-stage metastatic RCC, however, the five-year survival rate is only 15%. In 2022, approximately 32,200 patients with advanced kidney cancer required systemic therapy in the U.S., with over 20,000 patients receiving first-line treatment.

TerSera® Presents Real-World Evidence on Treatment Patterns of Goserelin (ZOLADEX®) in Women with Breast Cancer at the 2024 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Quality Care Symposium

On October 2, 2024 TerSera Therapeutics LLC reported the presentation of new real-world analyses on the treatment patterns of goserelin in women with breast cancer (Press release, TerSera Therapeutics, OCT 2, 2024, View Source [SID1234647010]). The data were presented in a poster session at the 2024 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) (Free ASCO Whitepaper) Quality Care Symposium, held September 27th and 28th in San Francisco, CA.

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The goal of this study was to demonstrate the characteristics of US patients with a diagnosis of breast cancer treated with either goserelin 3.6 mg or 10.8 mg and analyze goserelin treatment patterns using real-world evidence (RWE). This retrospective study used US electronic health record data through TriNetX, a global healthcare research network. The study included adult women with a history of breast cancer and with ≥2 prescriptions of goserelin between January 2017 – December 2022. Follow-up occurred until March 15, 2024.

Overall, 3,620 patients were identified: 2,870 treated with goserelin 3.6 mg, 410 with goserelin 10.8 mg, and 340 who switched from goserelin 3.6 mg to 10.8 mg. Patient demographics, treatment adherence, and healthcare resource utilization (HCRU) were examined and summarized using descriptive analytics.

"For young women with hormone-sensitive breast cancer at high-risk of relapse, suppression of ovarian function is an essential component of their long-term treatment plan," said Lonnie Brent, Pharm.D., Senior Vice President, Medical and Scientific Affairs for TerSera. "This real-world evidence presented at the ASCO (Free ASCO Whitepaper) Quality Care Symposium increases our understanding of the current treatment patterns for young women with breast cancer receiving goserelin."

U.S. INDICATIONS

ZOLADEX 3.6 mg and ZOLADEX 10.8 mg are indicated for:

Management of locally confined Stage T2b-T4 (Stage B2-C) carcinoma of the prostate in combination with flutamide. Treatment with ZOLADEX and flutamide should start 8 weeks prior to initiating radiation therapy and continue during radiation therapy.
Palliative treatment of advanced carcinoma of the prostate.
ZOLADEX 3.6 mg is also indicated for:

Management of endometriosis, including pain relief and reduction of endometriotic lesions for the duration of therapy. Experience with ZOLADEX for the management of endometriosis has been limited to women 18 years of age and older treated for 6 months.
Use as an endometrial-thinning agent prior to endometrial ablation for dysfunctional uterine bleeding.
Palliative treatment of advanced breast cancer in pre- and perimenopausal women.
IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

Anaphylactic reactions to ZOLADEX have been reported in the medical literature. ZOLADEX is contraindicated in patients with a known hypersensitivity to GnRH, GnRH agonist analogues, or any of the components in ZOLADEX.

ZOLADEX is contraindicated during pregnancy unless used for palliative treatment of advanced breast cancer. ZOLADEX can cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman. If used during pregnancy, the patient should be apprised of the potential hazard to the fetus. There is an increased risk for pregnancy loss due to expected hormonal changes that occur with ZOLADEX treatment. ZOLADEX should not be given to women with undiagnosed abnormal vaginal bleeding.

Pregnancy must be excluded for use in benign gynecological conditions. Women should be advised against becoming pregnant while taking ZOLADEX. Effective nonhormonal contraception must be used by all premenopausal women during ZOLADEX therapy and for 12 weeks following discontinuation of therapy.

Transient worsening of tumor symptoms, or the occurrence of additional signs and symptoms of breast cancer, may occasionally develop during the first few weeks of treatment. Some patients may experience a temporary increase in bone pain. Monitor patients at risk for complications of tumor flare.

Hyperglycemia and an increased risk of developing diabetes or worsening of glycemic control in patients with diabetes have been reported in men receiving GnRH agonists like ZOLADEX. Monitor blood glucose levels and glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) periodically and manage according to current clinical practice.

Increased risk of developing myocardial infarction, sudden cardiac death and stroke has been reported in association with use of GnRH agonists like ZOLADEX in men. Patients receiving a GnRH agonist should be monitored for symptoms and signs suggestive of development of cardiovascular disease and be managed according to current clinical practice.

Hypercalcemia has been reported in some breast cancer patients with bone metastases after starting treatment with ZOLADEX. If hypercalcemia does occur, appropriate treatment measures should be initiated.

Hypersensitivity, antibody formation and acute anaphylactic reactions have been reported with GnRH agonist analogues.

ZOLADEX may cause an increase in cervical resistance. Therefore, caution is recommended when dilating the cervix for endometrial ablation.

GnRH agonists may prolong the QT/QTc interval. Providers should consider whether the benefits of androgen deprivation therapy outweigh the potential risks in patients with congenital long QT syndrome, congestive heart failure, frequent electrolyte abnormalities, and in patients taking drugs known to prolong the QT interval. Electrolyte abnormalities should be corrected. Consider periodic monitoring of electrocardiograms and electrolytes.

Injection site injury and vascular injury including pain, hematoma, hemorrhage and hemorrhagic shock, requiring blood transfusions and surgical intervention, have been reported with ZOLADEX. Extra care should be taken when administering ZOLADEX to patients with low BMI and/or to patients receiving full dose anticoagulation.

Depression may occur or worsen in women receiving GnRH agonists.

Treatment with ZOLADEX may be associated with a reduction in bone mineral density over the course of treatment. Data suggest a possibility of partial reversibility. In women, current available data suggest that recovery of bone loss occurs on cessation of therapy in the majority of patients.

In women, the most frequently reported adverse reactions were related to hypoestrogenism. The adverse reaction profile was similar for women treated for breast cancer, dysfunctional uterine bleeding, and endometriosis.

The most commonly reported adverse reactions with ZOLADEX in clinical trials for endometriosis were: hot flashes (96%), vaginitis (75%), headache (75%), decreased libido (61%), emotional lability (60%), depression (54%), sweating (45%), acne (42%), breast atrophy (33%), seborrhea (26%), and peripheral edema (21%).

The most commonly reported adverse reactions with ZOLADEX in clinical trials for endometrial thinning were: vasodilation/hot flashes (57%), headache (32%), sweating (16%), and abdominal pain (11%).

The most commonly reported adverse reactions with ZOLADEX in breast cancer clinical trials were hot flashes (70%), decreased libido (47.7%), tumor flare (23%), nausea (11%), edema (5%), and malaise/fatigue/lethargy (5%). Injection site reactions were reported in less than 1% of patients.

For ZOLADEX 3.6 mg: Hot flashes (62%), sexual dysfunction (21%), decreased erections (18%), lower urinary tract symptoms (13%), lethargy (8%), pain (worsened in the first 30 days) (8%), edema (7%), upper respiratory infection (7%), rash (6%), and sweating (6%).

For ZOLADEX 10.8 mg: Hot flashes (64%), pain (general) (14%), gynecomastia (8%), pelvic pain (6%), and bone pain (6%).

In the locally advanced carcinoma of the prostate clinical trial, additional adverse event data were collected for the combination therapy with radiation group during both the hormonal treatment and hormonal treatment plus radiation phases of this study. Adverse experiences (incidence >5%) in both phases of this study were hot flashes (46%), diarrhea (40%), nausea (9%), and skin rash (8%). Treatment with ZOLADEX and flutamide did not add substantially to the toxicity of radiation treatment alone.

Please see Full Prescribing Information for ZOLADEX 3.6 mg and ZOLADEX 10.8 mg.

You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit fda.gov/safety/medwatch or call 1-800-FDA-1088. You can also contact TerSera Therapeutics at 1-844-334-4035 or [email protected].

About HR-positive breast cancer

Breast cancer is the second most commonly diagnosed cancer and one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths worldwide. 2 In the United States, over 310,000 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer this year; 40,000 will be under the age of 50. 3 Approximately 75% of diagnosed cases in women under age 50 are considered to be hormone positive (HR+) breast cancer. Compared to older women, young women generally face more aggressive cancers and lower survival rates.4,5 Recent studies have shown that breast cancer before age 40 differs biologically from the cancer faced by older women.6

About ZOLADEX (goserelin implant)

ZOLADEX is an injectable luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone agonist (LHRHa) used to treat prostate cancer, breast cancer, and certain benign gynecological disorders. First approved in the U.S. in 1989, ZOLADEX is available as a 3.6 mg implant dosed every 28 days or as a 10.8 mg implant dosed every 12 weeks. Worldwide, ZOLADEX 3.6 mg is approved for use in breast cancer in 125 countries. ZOLADEX 10.8 mg is approved for use in breast cancer in over 60 countries.

Xcell Biosciences Expands AmplifyBio Collaboration with Unique Cell and Gene Therapy Manufacturing Capabilities

On October 2, 2024 Xcell Biosciences Inc. (Xcellbio), an instrumentation company focused on cell and gene therapy applications, reported that it has expanded its collaboration with AmplifyBio, a rapidly growing contract development and manufacturing organization, through the installation of a new AVATAR Foundry system as part of Xcellbio’s beta access program (Press release, Xcell Biosciences, OCT 2, 2024, View Source [SID1234647011]). The new instrument will enable AmplifyBio’s team to advance from small-scale workflows on the previously installed AVATAR Odyssey platform to achieve automated cell therapy manufacturing workflows suitable for clinical use.

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Xcellbio and AmplifyBio have an ongoing collaboration aimed at streamlining and improving the manufacturing process for engineered T-cell receptor (TCR) therapies targeting solid tumors, which have proven difficult to treat with cell therapies due to the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment. Through this collaboration, scientists are working to identify key elements for successful manufacture of TCR therapies, such as the relationship between various T cell conditioning matrices and product characteristics such as phenotype, metabolic profile, and potency. Already, experiments have progressed from in vitro to in vivo, and an IND filing is expected next year to target human papillomavirus-positive tumors using a conditioned, engineered TCR therapy.

Xcellbio developed the AVATAR platform for cell and gene therapy research and development, with the AVATAR Odyssey system designed for small-scale research and process development needs. Its latest platform, the AVATAR Foundry system, is a cGMP manufacturing platform that delivers novel capabilities for improving the potency of cell and gene therapies.

"Building on our experience with the AVATAR Odyssey system that is providing us with the tools to optimize various T cell conditioning protocols, we are excited to get access to the AVATAR Foundry system so we can progress our client’s research efforts toward automated, clinical-scale manufacturing of cell products," said J. Kelly Ganjei, President and CEO of AmplifyBio. "This aligns with our mission to add cutting-edge platforms to our development sandbox that improve advanced therapies’ safety, efficacy, and manufacturing efficiency. We are particularly excited to add tools that accelerate the commercialization of therapies for solid tumors, which to date have not enjoyed the same successes as those targeting hematological malignancies."

Brian Feth, co-founder and CEO at Xcellbio, commented: "The AVATAR Foundry system will allow AmplifyBio to help clients maximize the potency and tumor-killing activity of their TCR T products, while also accelerating manufacturing timelines and streamlining workflows. We are eager to work with their team as they use this powerful technology to advance cell therapy manufacturing for the benefit of future patients."

To learn more about the beta access program for the AVATAR Foundry platform, please visit View Source

Alentis Therapeutics Receives FDA IND Clearance for ALE.P02, a Novel CLDN1-ADC for the Treatment of Squamous Cancers

On October 2, 2024 Alentis Therapeutics ("Alentis"), the clinical-stage biotechnology company developing treatments for Claudin-1 positive (CLDN1+) tumors and organ fibrosis, reported that the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) cleared an IND application for ALE.P02, an anti-CLDN1 ADC with a tubulin inhibitor payload (Press release, Alentis Therapeutics, OCT 2, 2024, View Source [SID1234646996]). A Phase 1/2 clinical trial in patients with CLDN1+ squamous tumors is expected to start during the first quarter of 2025.

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"ADCs have shown great potential in the treatment of cancer," Luigi Manenti, Chief Medical Officer of Alentis. "Squamous cancers originating in the head and neck, cervix, esophagus and lung are characterized by high CLDN1 expression, and ALE.P02 provides a first-in-class opportunity for these patients who need new therapies after first-line treatment fails."

"Anti-CLDN1 ADCs are exciting because they address the urgent need for novel targets in the ADC space," added Tony Mok, Professor of Clinical Oncology at the Chinese University of Hong Kong. "ALE.P02 is particularly promising for squamous cancers, including HNSCC and NSCLC, where CLDN1 is often overexpressed. The unmet medical need in these indications is significant, and I look forward to the results of the Phase 1/2 study."

Dr. Roberto Iacone, Chief Executive Officer of Alentis said, "ALE.P02, entering the clinic, marks a significant advancement in our oncology pipeline. We can maximize our development plan by leveraging insights from human clinical trials of lixudebart (ALE.F02), used as the backbone antibody for Alentis’ ADCs."

Dr. Iacone added, "For our second ADC program, ALE.P03, with its topoisomerase I inhibitor payload, we plan to initiate a first-in-human clinical trial in 2025."

About ALE.P02
ALE.P02 is a first-in-class ADC designed by linking a tubulin inhibitor, a potent cancer drug, to our antibody that specifically targets a unique CLDN1 epitope exposed on cancer cells. This combination could be a powerful new tool to fight the many squamous cancers that overexpress CLDN1 with less toxicity than traditional cancer drugs.

Etcembly launches groundbreaking research study searching for cancer cures in survivors

On October 2, 2024 Etcembly reported a groundbreaking new research study aiming to uncover new targets for cancer therapies by analysing the immune cells of cancer survivors (Press release, Etcembly, OCT 2, 2024, View Source [SID1234646997]).

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The ETCh study is recruiting people aged 18-65 who are living with or have survived cancer to join the study, as well as healthy volunteers. Participants will be asked to donate a small amount of blood up to five times over the course of one year, and provide information about their health.

Unlocking the secret to surviving cancer

The ETCh study is rooted in the well-established concept that long-term survivors have beaten cancer due to their immune system’s ability to recognise and eliminate cancerous cells. However, a systematic search for the specific targets recognised within tumours has yet to be undertaken.

In this study, blood samples will be collected from people who are living with or have survived cancer as well as healthy individuals. The research team will conduct an extensive analysis of the immune repertoire at an unprecedented scale by sequencing millions of antibodies and T cell receptors (TCRs) from each participant.

Etcembly’s advanced AI platform, EMLyTM, will then perform an in-depth analysis to identify which of these are likely to play a role in recognising and destroying cancer cells, and determine the aberrant molecules in tumours that they target.

These molecules could become new targets for next-generation immunotherapies that harness the power of a patient’s own immune system to combat cancer. The team expects to identify new targets within 12 to 18 months, which will then enter Etcembly’s pipeline for developing novel TCR-based therapies.

Harnessing the power of TCRs

This approach will allow Etcembly to delve deep into the immune response of cancer survivors and find vital clues to future cures.

Nick Pumphrey, Chief Scientific Officer at Etcembly says, "There is an urgent need to discover new cancer targets that traditional approaches have largely failed to deliver. By approaching the problem from the opposite direction, we can identify TCRs and targets from cancer survivors that have proven their ability to beat cancer, allowing us to develop therapies that are more likely to work for others."