AVEO Oncology, an LG Chem company, Present TiNivo-2 Results and TIVO-3 Exploratory Post Immunotherapy Survival Analysis at ESMO 2024

On September 16, 2024 AVEO Oncology, an LG Chem company ("AVEO"), reported that the TiNivo-2 Phase 3 clinical trial results in patients with advanced metastatic renal cell carcinoma (RCC) whose tumors had progressed following prior ICI treatment were presented at the 2024 European Society of Medical Oncology (ESMO) (Free ESMO Whitepaper) congress September 13-17 in Barcelona, Spain (Press release, AVEO, SEP 16, 2024, View Source [SID1234646671]). Additionally, a follow up exploratory analysis from TIVO-3, FOTIVDA’s pivotal trial, was also presented during the conference.

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The TiNivo-2 clinical trial was designed to evaluate the treatment of FOTIVDA, a vascular endothelial growth factor receptor (VEGFR) tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI), in combination with nivolumab, a PD-1 inhibitor, versus FOTIVDA as a single agent therapy to investigate the benefit of ICI challenge in a relapsed refractory setting.

Toni Choueiri, M.D., Director of the Lank Center for Genitourinary Oncology, Director of the Kidney Cancer Center at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Jerome and Nancy Kohlberg Chair and Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School, and lead investigator presented the first analysis of the TiNivo-2 study results at ESMO (Free ESMO Whitepaper). The addition of nivolumab to FOTIVDA (0.89 mg) following prior immunotherapy did not enhance efficacy over FOTIVDA (1.34 mg) alone (hazard ratio 1.10 [95% confidence interval, 0.84-1.43; P=0.49]); as such the study did not meet its primary endpoint. In pre-planned analyses of the FOTIVDA control arm, a 9.2 month median progression free survival (PFS) was observed for patients that received FOTIVDA monotherapy as second line and for patients immediately following ICI combination therapy; the experimental arm (nivolumab plus tivozanib) had a 7.3 month median PFS in the second line and a 7.4 month median PFS for patients immediately following ICI combination therapy.

The TiNivo-2 study results add to the existing body of data in RCC suggesting there is no clinical benefit derived from rechallenging patients with immunotherapy beyond progression on previous ICIs.

"We are truly grateful for the patients who participated in TiNivo-2 so that we can continue to make evidence-based advancements in RCC treatment and patient care," says Michael P. Bailey, AVEO Oncology Chief Executive Officer and President. "We are excited to share the comprehensive TiNivo-2 dataset with the oncology community; these data provide additional support on the use of FOTIVDA as an option in the second line following frontline immunotherapy combination treatment."

Dr. Choueiri comments, "The PFS results in the intent-to-treat population demonstrate the activity of tivozanib in the 2nd and 3rd lines following front line immunotherapy. The safety results were also consistent with the safety profile observed in TIVO-3."

In conjunction with the scientific presentation, the TiNivo-2 data were simultaneously published in the prestigious journal, The Lancet.

In addition to the TiNivo-2 data presentation, an exploratory long-term follow up analysis from the TIVO-3 study was presented by Dr. Miguel Zugman of the City of Hope Comprehensive Cancer Center at ESMO (Free ESMO Whitepaper) 2024. Although the post hoc analysis did not reach statistical significance, the data indicates that tivozanib trended toward improved OS compared to sorafenib, in the subset of patients previously treated with checkpoint inhibitors. The OS hazard ratio in the checkpoint inhibitor-treated subset was 0.69 (95% confidence interval, 0.43-1.11) favoring tivozanib.

TiNivo-2 Clinical Trial Details
Phase 3 clinical trial designed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of tivozanib in combination with nivolumab, as compared to tivozanib as a monotherapy, in RCC patients whose tumors have progressed following prior ICI therapy.

TIVO-3 Clinical Trial Details
TIVO-3 was a Phase 3, global, open-label, parallel-arm study comparing the safety and efficacy of FOTIVDA versus sorafenib in patients with relapsed refractory advanced RCC whose disease progressed with two or three prior systemic regimens including at least one VEGFR TKI.

About FOTIVDA
FOTIVDA is an oral, next-generation VEGFR TKI. It is a potent, selective inhibitor of VEGFRs 1, 2, and 3 with a long half-life designed to improve efficacy and tolerability. AVEO received U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval for FOTIVDA on March 10, 2021, for the treatment of adult patients with relapsed or refractory advanced RCC following two or more prior systemic therapies, based on data from the TIVO-3 trial comparing FOTIVDA to sorafenib. FOTIVDA was approved in August 2017 in the European Union and other countries in the territory of its partner Recordati UK Ltd. for the treatment of adult patients with advanced RCC. FOTIVDA was discovered by Kyowa Kirin.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION
WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS

Hypertension was reported in 45% of patients (22% ≥ Grade 3). Hypertensive crises were reported in 0.8% of patients. Do not initiate FOTIVDA in patients with uncontrolled hypertension. Monitor for hypertension and treat as needed. Reduce the FOTIVDA dose for persistent hypertension not controlled by anti-hypertensive medications. Discontinue FOTIVDA for severe hypertension that cannot be controlled with anti-hypertensive therapy or for hypertensive crisis.

Cardiac failures were reported in 1.6% of patients (1% ≥ Grade 3); 0.6% of events were fatal. Monitor for signs or symptoms of cardiac failure during treatment with FOTIVDA. Manage with dose interruption, dose reduction, or discontinuation.

Cardiac ischemia were reported in 3.2% of patients; 0.4% of events were fatal. Arterial thromboembolic events were reported in 2.0% of patients, including death due to ischemic stroke (0.1%). Closely monitor patients at risk for, or who have a history of these events. Discontinue FOTIVDA in patients who develop severe arterial thromboembolic events, such as myocardial infarction and stroke.

Venous Thrombotic Events (VTE) were reported in 2.4% of patients, including 0.3% fatal events. Closely monitor patients who are at increased risk for these events. Discontinue in patients who develop serious VTEs.

Hemorrhagic Events were reported in 11% of patients; 0.2% of events were fatal. Use FOTIVDA with caution in patients who are at risk for or who have a history of bleeding.

Proteinuria was reported in 8% of patients (2% = Grade 3). Monitor during treatment with FOTIVDA. For moderate to severe proteinuria, reduce the dose or interrupt treatment. Discontinue in patients who develop nephrotic syndrome.

Gastrointestinal (GI) Perforation including fatal cases, has been reported in patients receiving FOTIVDA. Monitor for symptoms of GI perforation or fistula formation periodically throughout treatment with FOTIVDA. Permanently discontinue FOTIVDA in patients who develop severe or life-threatening GI perforation.

Thyroid Dysfunction events were reported in 11% of patients (0.3% ≥ Grade 3). Monitor thyroid function before and during treatment with FOTIVDA.

Wound Healing Complications: Withhold FOTIVDA for at least 24 days prior to elective surgery and do not administer for at least 2 weeks after major surgery and until adequate wound healing is observed.

Reversible Posterior Leukoencephalopathy Syndrome (RPLS) can occur with FOTIVDA. Evaluate for RPLS in patients presenting with seizures, headache, visual disturbances, confusion, or altered mental function. Discontinue if signs or symptoms of RPLS occur.

Embryo-fetal Toxicity: FOTIVDA can cause fetal harm. Advise patients of the potential risk to a fetus, to avoid becoming pregnant and to use contraception during treatment and for one month after the last dose of FOTIVDA. Advise males with female partners of reproductive potential to use effective contraception during treatment and for one month after the last dose of FOTIVDA.

Allergic Reaction to Tartrazine: FOTIVDA 0.89 mg capsule contains FD&C Yellow No. 5 (tartrazine) which may cause allergic-type reactions (including bronchial asthma) in certain susceptible patients.

ADVERSE REACTIONS

Common adverse reactions include fatigue/asthenia, hypertension, diarrhea, decreased appetite, nausea, dysphonia, hypothyroidism, cough, and stomatitis.

Serious adverse reactions include bleeding (3.5%), venous thromboembolism (3.5%), arterial thromboembolism (2.9%), acute kidney injury (2.3%), and hepatobiliary disorders (2.3%).

DRUG INTERACTIONS

Avoid coadministration with strong CYP3A4 inducers.

USE IN SPECIFIC POPULATIONS

Advise women not to breastfeed during treatment and for at least 1 month after the last dose.

The recommended dosage for patients with end-stage renal disease has not been established.

Reduce the FOTIVDA dose for patients with moderate hepatic impairment. The recommended dosage in patients with severe hepatic impairment has not been established.

To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact AVEO Pharmaceuticals, Inc. at 1-833-FOTIVDA (1-833-368-4832) or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch.

Please see full Prescribing Information for FOTIVDA (tivozanib).

Data from a Phase 1 Trial of HighField Biopharmaceuticals’ HF1K16 Show the New Immuno-Oncology Drug is Safe and Signals Efficacy in Treating Refractory Metastatic Cancers

On September 16, 2024 HighField Biopharmaceuticals, a clinical stage company using lipid-based therapeutics to treat cancer, diabetes and other diseases, reported its CEO and Scientific Founder Yuhong Xu, Ph.D, presented positive safety and efficacy findings from an ongoing Phase 1 clinical trial of HF1K16 (K16) in refractory metastatic cancer patients at the European Society of Medical Oncology (ESMO) (Free ESMO Whitepaper) Congress in Barcelona, Spain, September 13 – 17, 2024 (Press release, HighField Biopharmaceuticals, SEP 16, 2024, View Source [SID1234646687]).

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K16 is an ATRA-encapsulated immune modulating liposome combining a lipid bilayer structure and all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA). It targets immature immune cells, called myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs), inducing them to become mature active immune cells, such as dendritic cells, which summon T cells to attack cancer.

Presentation of the poster titled, "A Phase 1 study of the Myeloid-derived suppressor cells modulator HF1K16 in refractory and metastatic cancer patients: preliminary efficacy and safety," was on Saturday, September 14 in the Investigational Immunotherapy session.

"We are excited about the preliminary safety and efficacy data from our ongoing Phase 1 study," said Dr. Xu. "ATRA is a highly active vitamin A metabolite commonly found in the body. Using Highfield’s liposome technology, we were able to inject a highly concentrated ATRA offering more than 10 times higher than normal exposure in a patient, triggering the therapeutic mechanism. These patients have very advanced, heavily prior treated tumors."

The Phase 1 dose escalation study (NCT05388487) showed significant signals of desirable immune modulation and efficacy. The expansion cohort, currently recruiting, is focused on R/R glioma. As of Sept 1, 2024, 19 patients having Grade II, III and IV tumors have been enrolled. Among the 10 patients with Grade II and III gliomas, median overall survival (mOS) is 629 days. For the 9 patients with Grade IV or glioblastoma, the most aggressive brain tumors, mOS is 315 days.

The next step will be to determine the indication that is most beneficial either as a single agent or in combination with other standard of care regimen in a Phase 2 study.

Exact Sciences Presents Data Demonstrating Advancement in Blood-based Colorectal Cancer Screening at ESMO 2024

On September 16, 2024 Exact Sciences Corp. (NASDAQ: EXAS), a leading provider of cancer screening and diagnostic tests, reported performance data for its blood-based colorectal cancer (CRC) screening test (Press release, Exact Sciences, SEP 16, 2024, View Source [SID1234646634]). Results show sensitivities of 88.3% for CRC and 31.2% for advanced precancerous lesions at specificity of 90.1% for negative samples confirmed by colonoscopy. Results were presented today at the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) (Free ESMO Whitepaper) Congress in an oral presentation titled, "Organ-specific performance of a multi-analyte, multi-cancer early detection (MCED) blood test in a prospectively-collected cohort."

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"The Exact Sciences team is constantly innovating to help close the screening gap," said Kevin Conroy, chairman and CEO, Exact Sciences. "The insights that led to this innovation reflect our understanding of the biology of cancer and the power of our scientific capabilities. We took a unique scientific approach to developing this test by combining a novel panel of markers. This led to data that improve upon what we previously thought was possible with a blood-based colorectal cancer screening test."

To optimize the final test algorithm, Exact Sciences designed a study to simulate the screening population in the United States and better predict real-world, prospective performance of a novel test. The study consisted of more than 3,000 blood samples, including approximately 2,900 blinded, prospectively collected samples from the pivotal BLUE-C study. This analysis was prespecified with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the samples will be excluded from the final clinical validation. The study also included more than 90 advanced precancerous lesions, the majority of which were prospectively collected, and 60 case-collected colorectal cancer samples. In the pivotal BLUE-C study results, performance degradation is expected for advanced precancerous lesion sensitivity and overall CRC sensitivity.

Results of this study show the potential of a novel, highly discriminate blood-based panel of methylated DNA markers and an impactful, new marker class to detect advanced precancerous lesions and cancers at an attractive cost profile. The company will implement the innovative marker class on a new testing platform and complete additional analytical studies to support an FDA submission.

"A blood-based colorectal cancer screening test that can detect advanced precancerous lesions at a level comparable to the FIT test would be a breakthrough in this field," said Paul Limburg, MD, MPH, AGAF, chief medical officer for Screening, Exact Sciences. "Results from this large, well-designed study show progress toward that goal and move us one step closer toward providing average-risk patients with another non-invasive screening option."

BLUE-C results for Exact Sciences’ blood-based CRC screening test are now expected in the first half of 2025. Exact Sciences plans to use these results to support an FDA submission and approval and to make the blood-based CRC screening test available broadly. If approved, the blood-based CRC screening test could provide another testing option for 60 million unscreened people1 in the United States. It would be supported by Exact Sciences’ commercial infrastructure and ExactNexus technology platform, making electronic ordering and resulting seamless for more than 350 health systems.

The company also presented data from its multi-cancer early detection (MCED) blood test, assessing organ-specific performance of methylation and protein biomarkers in a prospectively collected cohort of samples from its ASCEND 2 study. The analysis indicated an overall sensitivity of 54.8% with 98.5% specificity in cancers without standard-of-care screening options (excluding lung) and 63.7% in the six most aggressive cancers with the shortest survival rates (esophagus, liver, lung, ovarian, pancreatic, and stomach). These findings highlight the potential clinical value of using multiple biomarkers to detect various cancer types, including the most aggressive and those without recommended screening options.

Instil Bio and ImmuneOnco Announce Global Registrational Strategy for PD-L1xVEGF Bispecific Antibody, SYN-2510/IMM2510, in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer and Triple-Negative Breast Cancer

On September 16, 2024 Instil Bio, Inc. (Nasdaq: TIL, "Instil") and ImmuneOnco Biopharmaceuticals (Shanghai) Inc. (HKEX:1541, "ImmuneOnco") reported the global registrational strategy for the PD-L1xVEGF bispecific antibody SYN-2510/IMM2510 in combination with chemotherapy in front-line non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and in front-line triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) (Press release, Instil Bio, SEP 16, 2024, View Source [SID1234646655]).

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In China, ImmuneOnco is accelerating the development of IMM2510/SYN-2510 in front-line NSCLC by targeting initiation in late 2024 of a Phase 1b/2 front-line chemo combination study. This study is expected to enroll patients with driver gene mutation-negative non-squamous and squamous NSCLC. ImmuneOnco is also accelerating development of IMM2510/SYN-2510 in front-line TNBC with initial Phase 1b/2 chemotherapy combination studies targeted to begin in early 2025.

In the United States, Instil is prioritizing development of SYN-2510/IMM2510 in NSCLC and TNBC. US IND submission is targeted for late 2024, starting with a Phase 2 trial of SYN-2510/IMM2510 monotherapy in second-line non-squamous and squamous NSCLC.

With potential positive proof-of-concept data, ImmuneOnco and Instil may initiate joint global randomized Phase 3 chemotherapy combination trials in first-line non-squamous and squamous NSCLC and/or first-line TNBC.

"There are significant unmet medical needs in NSCLC and TNBC cancer patients which may be addressed by IMM2510," said Dr. Wenzhi Tian, PhD, CEO and CSO of ImmuneOnco. "This practical and accelerated registrational strategy, which is aligned with Instil, paves a clear pathway to a potential regulatory approval for us in China and for Instil Bio globally."

"SYN-2510 may have the opportunity to meaningfully improve on the current standard of care in NSCLC and TNBC," said Bronson Crouch, CEO of Instil. "Our expectation for the initial US study of SYN-2510 is that it would lay a foundation for the efficient enrollment of potential global Phase 3 studies."

About SYN-2510/IMM2510

SYN-2510/IMM2510 is a PD-L1xVEGF bispecific antibody in development for the treatment of multiple solid tumor cancers. SYN-2510/IMM2510 is differentiated from other PD-(L)1xVEGF bispecific antibodies by its VEGF trap, which binds multiple VEGF receptor ligands beyond VEGF-A, a bispecific structure which leverages PD-L1 as an anchor in the tumor microenvironment (TME), and enhanced antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) to direct killing of PD-L1-positive tumor cells.

Aethlon Medical Announces Activation of Royal Adelaide Hospital to Begin Patient Screening and Enrollment in Hemopurifier® Cancer Trial

On September 16, 2024 Aethlon Medical, Inc. (Nasdaq: AEMD), a medical therapeutic company focused on developing products to treat cancer and life-threatening infectious diseases, reported that the Cancer Clinical Trial Unit at Royal Adelaide Hospital was activated on September 10, 2024 to begin screening and enrolling patients in its safety, feasibility and dose-finding clinical trial of the Hemopurifier in patients with solid tumors who have stable or progressive disease during anti-PD-1 monotherapy treatment, such as Keytruda (pembrolizumab) or Opdivo (nivolumab) (AEMD-2022-06 Hemopurifier Study) (Press release, Aethlon Medical, SEP 16, 2024, View Source [SID1234646672]). The trial will be conducted by Prof. Michael Brown and his staff at the Cancer Clinical Trials Unit, CALHN, Royal Adelaide Hospital in Australia.

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The activation follows the previously announced approval by the Human Research Ethics Committee at Central Adelaide Local Health Network on June 13, 2024, and the Research Governance office at Royal Adelaide Hospital, on September, 3 2024, as well as the notification of the Therapeutic Good Administration (TGA) and completion of a Site Initiation Visit on September 9, 2024.

"The activation of the investigative site at the Royal Adelaide Hospital marks a significant milestone for Aethlon, allowing the site to screen and enroll patients in this important clinical trial," stated Steven LaRosa, MD, Chief Medical Officer of Aethlon Medical. "We look forward to working closely with Prof. Brown and his staff, and with our Contract Research Organizations (CROs), NAMSA and ReSQ Clinical Research, to begin enrollment and data collection. Going forward, we plan to activate a second site in Australia and also expect to receive an Ethics Committee approval for a clinical site in India."

Currently, only approximately 30% of patients who receive pembrolizumab or nivolumab will have lasting clinical responses to these agents. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) produced by tumors have been implicated in the spread of cancers as well as the resistance to anti-PD-1 therapies. The Aethlon Hemopurifier has been designed to bind and remove these EVs from the bloodstream, which may improve therapeutic response rates to anti-PD-1 antibodies. In preclinical studies, the Hemopurifier has been shown to reduce the number of exosomes from the plasma of cancer patient samples.

The primary endpoint of the approximately 18-patient, safety, feasibility and dose-finding trial is the incidence of adverse events and clinically significant changes in safety lab tests of Hemopurifier treated patients with solid tumors with stable or progressive disease at different treatment intervals, after a two-month run in period of PD-1 antibody, Keytruda or Opdivo monotherapy. Patients who do not respond to the therapy will be eligible to enter the Hemopurifier period of the study where sequential cohorts will receive 1, 2 or 3 Hemopurifier treatments during a one-week period. In addition to monitoring safety, the study is designed to examine the number of Hemopurifier treatments needed to decrease the concentration of EVs and whether these changes in EV concentrations improve the body’s own natural ability to attack tumor cells. These exploratory central laboratory analyses are expected to inform the design of a subsequent efficacy and safety, Premarket Approval (PMA), study required by regulatory agencies.