On October 17, 2025 Marengo Therapeutics, Inc., a clinical-stage biotechnology company pioneering precision immunotherapies for oncology and inflammation & immunology (I&I), reported the first disclosure of interim data from the ongoing Phase 2 trial of its lead program, invikafusp alfa, during a late-breaking oral session at the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) (Free ESMO Whitepaper) 2025 Annual Meeting, taking place October 17-21, 2025, in Berlin, Germany.

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These highly anticipated results continue to validate Marengo’s first-in-class precision T cell activation platform – a novel approach aimed at fully addressing the significant unmet need for both PD-1 resistant and refractory patients, as well as those for whom PD-1 therapy is not currently indicated.

"The compelling single-agent activity and tumor regression we’re observing across multiple tumor types, particularly in PD-1-resistant tumors, underscore the potential of invikafusp alfa as a new pan-tumor backbone immunotherapy," said Zhen Su, M.D., MBA, Chief Executive Officer of Marengo Therapeutics. "By selectively activating Vβ6/Vβ10 T-cell subsets, we are unlocking distinct immune biology that can reprogram the tumor microenvironment and reinvigorate anti-tumor T cell responses in patient populations who have exhausted current immunotherapies."

As of the July 29, 2025 data cutoff, 55 patients with advanced solid tumors harboring high mutational burden (TMB-H or MSI-H/dMMR) were enrolled across 21 histologies; 44 were efficacy-evaluable. Additional outcomes from the Phase 2 study are outlined below.

Tumor shrinkage: 52% of patients experienced target-lesion regression.
In the TMB-H patients, there was a 20.5% overall response rate (ORR) (9/44) and a 79.5% disease control rate (DCR) (35/44) across six tumor types, including colorectal, gastric, lung, breast, GEJ, and head and neck cancers.
In the MSI-H/dMMR patients, there was a 30% ORR (3/10) and 70% DCR (7/10).
Clinical efficacy was observed in PD-1-resistant/refractory tumors and PD-1 naive tumors where PD-1 was not approved as standard of care, confirming PD-1-independent activity.
The safety profile was consistent with selective T cell activation mechanism of action, and treatment-related AEs were transient and manageable with supportive care.
Building on these clinical data, Marengo is advancing a post-PD-1, biomarker-enriched strategy for invikafusp alfa – continuing the Phase 2 monotherapy expansion in TMB-H or MSI-H/dMMR solid tumors to further characterize the depth and durability of responses across priority indications. In parallel, Marengo is pursuing ongoing regulatory interactions, including recently securing U.S. FDA Fast Track designation in TMB-H mCRC.

To reach broader, frontline populations beyond biomarker TMB-H in large indications, the company is also progressing a Phase 2 combination with Trodelvy (TROP2-directed ADC) in TNBC and HR+/HER2– breast cancer to evaluate synergy in ADC and IO settings.

Invikafusp alfa is a first-in-class, bispecific dual T-cell agonist designed to selectively activate and expand Vβ6/Vβ10 T-cell subsets, which represent ~10% of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs). Marengo’s lead asset was designed to restore and amplify anti-tumor immunity in patients who have progressed on or are insensitive to prior immune checkpoint blockade, and it has demonstrated rapid progress to date. Phase 1/2 results of the STARt-001 clinical trial evaluating invikafusp alfa in antigen-rich solid tumors were first presented at SITC (Free SITC Whitepaper) 2024, followed by disclosure of the recommended Phase 2 dose (RP2D) selection rationale and early clinical activity at AACR (Free AACR Whitepaper) 2025.

(Press release, Marengo Therapeutics, OCT 17, 2025, View Source;resistant-solid-tumors-as-a-late-breaking-oral-presentation-at-esmo-2025-302587142.html [SID1234656753])

On October 17, 2025 Sensei Biotherapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: SNSE), a clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on the discovery and development of next-generation therapeutics for cancer patients, reported results from the dose expansion portion of its Phase 1/2 trial evaluating solnerstotug (formerly SNS-101), a conditionally active monoclonal antibody targeting VISTA (V-domain Ig suppressor of T cell activation). The data will be shared today during a mini oral session at the ESMO (Free ESMO Whitepaper) Congress 2025.

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The Phase 1 dose expansion is a multi-center, open-label study evaluating solnerstotug as monotherapy and in combination with Libtayo (cemiplimab), Regeneron’s PD-1 inhibitor. The study enrolled patients with a basket of "hot" tumor types (that typically respond to immunotherapy) (n=44), of whom 41 had previously received and progressed on PD-(L)1 therapy, as well as patients with "cold" tumor types (that typically exhibit primary resistance to immunotherapy) (n=20).

Patients who progress following treatment with PD-(L)1 inhibitors ("secondary resistance") face a particularly poor prognosis, as resistance to immune checkpoint blockade is a significant challenge in oncology. For patients who develop secondary resistance, the likelihood of benefiting from a rechallenge with the same therapy is estimated to be 5% or less.1

Currently, treatment options for PD-(L)1 resistant tumors are limited, with many patients receiving chemotherapy, experimental therapies in clinical trials, or palliative care in the absence of effective alternatives. While historical benchmarks in this setting are limited, docetaxel, which is widely used in the 2nd line post-PD-(L)1 setting for Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC), typically has a 6-month PFS of 10-20% in similar patient populations.2 To date, immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) combination therapies have not been approved in this setting.

Emerging Clinical Signal and Favorable Tolerability Profile

As of the September 8, 2025, data cutoff, 35 efficacy-evaluable "hot tumor" patients had received cemiplimab with either 15 mg/kg (n=19) or 3 mg/kg dose (n=16) of solnerstotug. Six clinical responses, including five in patients with PD-(L)1 resistant tumors, occurred at the higher 15 mg/kg solnerstotug dose, and no objective responses were observed at the 3 mg/kg dose.

Among 41 "hot tumor" patients that received and progressed on a prior PD-(L)1 therapy, the overall 6-month PFS rate was 37%, which compares favorably with historical benchmarks in this setting. At 15 mg/kg, 6-month PFS reached 50% among PD-(L)1 resistant patients, surpassing rates historically seen in this treatment-refractory population. At 3 mg/kg, 6-month PFS was 24% among PD-(L)1 resistant patients.

Solnerstotug was well tolerated at both 3 mg/kg and 15 mg/kg doses in combination with cemiplimab:

Only six mild (Grade 1) CRS events were observed across all patients in Phase 1 (n=98), all manageable.
No new safety signals were identified across dose expansion (n=64).
The safety profile remains consistent with prior data and compares favorably to other checkpoint inhibitor combinations in this population.

"We believe solnerstotug’s emerging dose-dependent activity in refractory ‘hot’ tumors, combined with a favorable tolerability profile, support its advancement into Phase 2 studies," said Ron Weitzman, M.D., Chief Medical Officer of Sensei Biotherapeutics. "The data suggest that selective blockade of VISTA within the tumor microenvironment may help re-engage exhausted T cells, even after PD-1 failure, a goal long considered out of reach."

In addition to the "hot" tumor cohorts, 20 patients with Microsatellite Stable Colorectal (MSS CRC) "cold" tumors were treated with either solnerstotug as monotherapy or in combination with cemiplimab (350 mg). No responses were observed and the safety profile was consistent with previously reported data.

Durable Disease Control in "Hot" Tumors Followed by Late Onset Responses

Four out of six responders demonstrated prolonged disease control, followed by a late onset response (occurring between 18 and 54 weeks). PD-(L)1 therapies typically have a time to response of 2–3 months, indicating that the combination of solnerstotug plus cemiplimab has a unique and differentiated pattern of activity.

At the 15 mg/kg dose of solnerstotug, notable responses included:

A Merkel Cell Carcinoma (MCC) patient with a durable complete response at week 18 and a duration of response of 54+ weeks
A Microsatellite Instability-High Colorectal Cancer (MSI-H CRC) patient with a partial response (PR) at week 36 and a 33+ week duration
An NSCLC patient with a tumor proportion score less than 5% that was PD-1 naïve had a PR at week 54 and duration of response of 15+ weeks
An Esophageal Cancer patient with a PR at Week 24 and a duration of response of 6 weeks

"This pattern of delayed, durable responses is unusual among immunotherapies," said Kyriakos Papadopoulos, M.D., Co-Director of Clinical Research at START, San Antonio. "It may indicate that solnerstotug acts through a mechanism that is complementary to PD-(L)1 in resistant tumors."

Next Steps: Planned Phase 2 Studies to Evaluate Efficacy in a Commercially Attractive Indication and Potentially Pursue Accelerated Approval in a PD-1 Resistant Population

Sensei is planning two Phase 2 studies to begin in 2026, subject to FDA feedback and the Company’s ability to raise sufficient capital. The first is expected to be a randomized trial in 2nd line NSCLC where patients have received and failed anti-PD-(L)1 treatment. Patients would be randomized to receive either the combination of solnerstotug + a PD-(L)1 inhibitor or chemotherapy.

The second trial is expected to be a single arm study in PD-(L)1 resistant MCC patients where there is limited therapeutic optionality and potential for accelerated approval, subject to FDA feedback.

"We’re pleased by the emerging signs of dose-related activity, durability, and a favorable safety profile—key characteristics of a potentially differentiated immunotherapy," said John Celebi, President and Chief Executive Officer of Sensei Biotherapeutics. "These results provide a foundation for our planned Phase 2 development program as we work to better define solnerstotug’s role in treating challenging patient populations."

(Press release, Sensei Biotherapeutics, OCT 17, 2025, View Source/news-releases/news-release-details/sensei-biotherapeutics-reports-new-clinical-results-highlighting" target="_blank" title="View Source/news-releases/news-release-details/sensei-biotherapeutics-reports-new-clinical-results-highlighting" rel="nofollow">View Source [SID1234656737])

Investor Webcast Information

Sensei will host an investor webcast on October 20th at 8:00 AM ET, featuring company leadership and Kyriakos Papadopoulos, MD, Co-Director of Clinical Research at START, San Antonio.

Register for the event here. A replay will be available after the webcast on the Investor Relations page of Sensei’s website: View Source

On October 17, 2025 Sichuan Kelun-Biotech Biopharmaceutical Co., Ltd. (the "Company") reported that the Company’s human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-directed antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) trastuzumab botidotin (also known as A166) was approved for marketing by the National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) for the treatment of adult patients with unresectable or metastatic HER2-positive breast cancer (BC) who have received one or more prior anti-HER2 therapy.

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The approval is based on a multi-center, randomized, open-label, controlled, Phase 3 KL166-III-06 study that evaluates the efficacy and safety profile of trastuzumab botidotin versus T-DM1 in patients with HER2-positive unresectable or metastatic BC who have received prior trastuzumab and taxane-containing regimens. At a pre-specified interim analysis, trastuzumab botidotin monotherapy demonstrated a statistically significant and clinically meaningful improvement in the primary endpoint of progression-free survival (PFS) as assessed by the blinded independent central review (BICR) compared with T-DM1; the beneficial trend for overall survival (OS) of trastuzumab botidotin was also observed. Results from this study will be presented as an oral report at the 2025 European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) (Free ESMO Whitepaper) Congress held in Berlin, Germany (Presentation # LBA24, Proffered paper session 1: Breast cancer, metastatic).

The Company has initiated an open, multi-center Phase 2 clinical study of trastuzumab botidotin in the treatment of HER2+ unresectable or metastatic BC that previously received a topoisomerase inhibitor ADC.

Dr. Michael Ge, CEO of Kelun-Biotech said, "We are thrilled to see our first HER2 ADC drug, trastuzumab botidotin, successfully approved for market. This marks a significant advancement in the treatment of HER2-positive breast cancer. As China’s first domestically developed HER2 ADC capable of broadly covering 2L+ HER2 BC patients, trastuzumab botidotin leverages its differentiated structural design to deliver superior efficacy while addressing unmet clinical needs in this population."

About HER2+ BC

Breast cancer, as the most common malignant tumor, poses a serious threat to women’s health. Among its subtypes, HER2-positive breast cancer accounts for approximately 15%–20% of all breast cancer cases[1], and is characterized by its aggressiveness and high malignancy. According to the 2025 CSCO guidelines, first-line treatment for HER2-positive breast cancer primarily consists of trastuzumab and pertuzumab in combination with taxane-based chemotherapeutic agents. Second-line treatment regimens comprise tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs, such as pyrotinib) and antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs, such as T-DM1 and T-DXd). Following disease progression on second-line therapy, subsequent treatment strategies are determined based on prior second-line regimens, the patient’s tolerance to therapy, tumor burden, and other relevant factors. Despite recent advances in anti-HER2 therapeutics, a significant number of patients still experience drug resistance or severe adverse effects, highlighting an urgent need for agents with improved safety profiles to address the treatment requirements of patients with recurrent or drug-resistant HER2-positive breast cancer.

A bout trastuzumab botidotin

Trastuzumab botidotin is a differentiated HER2 ADC to treat advanced HER2+ solid tumors. As an innovative HER2 ADC developed by the Company, it conjugates a novel, monomethyl auristatin F (MMAF) derivative (a highly cytotoxic tubulin inhibitor, Duo-5) via a stable, enzyme-cleavable linker to a HER2 monoclonal antibody with a drug-to-antibody-ratio (DAR) of 2. Trastuzumab botidotin specifically binds to HER2 on the surface of tumor cells and is internalized by tumor cells, releasing the toxin molecule Duo-5 inside the cell. Duo-5 induces tumor cell cycle arrest in the G2/M phase, leading to tumor cell apoptosis. After targeting HER2, trastuzumab botidotin can also inhibit the HER2 signaling pathway; it has antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity (ADCC) activity.

(Press release, Kelun, OCT 17, 2025, View Source [SID1234656754])

On October 17, 2025 Sona Nanotech Inc. (CSE: SONA) (OTCQB: SNANF) (the "Company", "Sona"), reported that it will host a webinar on Monday, October 20th at noon EDT to discuss its first-in-human, early feasibility clinical study for its Targeted Hyperthermia Therapy cancer treatment. Ten advanced stage melanoma patients who were failing to respond to standard immunotherapy treatment were recruited into this early feasibility study.

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Interested parties can register here: http://bit.ly/3JcFls5. A recording of the webinar will be made available following the webinar in the Investor Information section of the Company’s website.

(Press release, Sona Nanotech, OCT 17, 2025, View Source [SID1234656738])

On October 17, 2025 Ono Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Osaka, Japan; President and COO: Toichi Takino; "Ono"), reported the two-year efficacy and safety results from its MOTION Phase 3 study of vimseltinib in patients with TGCT in cases where surgical removal of the tumor is not an option will be presented as a poster during the 2025 European Society for Medical Oncology Congress (ESMO) (Free ESMO Whitepaper), taking place October 17-21 in Berlin, Germany.

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"These long-term Phase 3 MOTION results add to the established body of evidence supporting vimseltinib as a best-in-class treatment for TGCT," said Matthew L. Sherman, M.D., Chief Medical Officer of Deciphera. "TGCT often causes debilitating pain, stiffness and impaired mobility and these results demonstrate the durable benefit that vimseltinib can offer patients."

Summary of Data and Findings from the 2-year results of the MOTION Phase 3 Study

Methods

The global Phase 3 MOTION study (NCT05059262) aims to evaluate the efficacy and safety of vimseltinib for the treatment of TGCT in cases where surgical removal of the tumor is not an option.

The study consists of two parts. In Part 1, eligible study participants were assigned to receive either vimseltinib or matching placebo for 24 weeks. Participants assigned to placebo in Part 1 had the option to receive vimseltinib for Part 2. Part 2 was a long-term treatment phase in which all participants received open-label vimseltinib. Patients received vimseltinib 30 mg twice weekly in all periods. Objective response rate (ORR) based on best overall response was assessed by independent radiological review (IRR) per Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors version 1.1 (RECIST v1.1) and per Tumor Volume Score (TVS). Duration of response (DOR) and safety were also evaluated.

Efficacy

In these two-year results from the MOTION Phase 3 trial, vimseltinib continued to demonstrate robust and durable antitumor efficacy with a manageable safety profile that was consistent with prior reports. These long-term results support vimseltinib as a treatment option for patients with TGCT associated with clinically relevant physical function deterioration and in whom surgical options have been exhausted or would induce unacceptable morbidity or disability, where it is approved. These results are reported with two years of follow-up in patients randomized to vimseltinib in Part 1 and crossed over from placebo to vimseltinib in Part 2. The data cutoff for this analysis was February 22, 2025.

In total, 118 patients received vimseltinib. At data cutoff, 51% (60/118) remained on treatment. With at least 2 years of follow-up, results demonstrate robust and durable antitumor activity with vimseltinib per RECIST v1.1 and per TVS, including in patients who crossed over to vimseltinib in Part 2.

Of 83 patients randomized to vimseltinib in Part 1, 73 continued open-label treatment in Part 2. Median (range) treatment duration was 23.6 months (2 to 36).
Of the 40 patients randomized to placebo in Part 1, 35 crossed over to vimseltinib in Part 2. Median treatment duration for this group was 19.1 months (1 to 30).
ORR on study per RECIST v1.1 was 48% (40/83) for patients randomized to vimseltinib and 54% (19/35) for those who crossed over to vimseltinib. ORR on study per TVS was 81% (67/83) for patients randomized to vimseltinib and 71% (25/35) for those who crossed over to vimseltinib.
The corresponding median DOR per RECIST v1.1 and per TVS was still not reached.
Safety

Vimseltinib continued to have a manageable safety profile that was consistent with prior reports with no new safety signals.

Most treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs) were grade 1/2, and grade 3/4 TEAEs were similar between randomized vimseltinib and crossover groups.
There were no new TEAEs in ≥15% of patients receiving vimseltinib and no new serious adverse events in more than one patient.
Serum enzyme elevations were consistent with the known mechanism of action of CSF1R inhibition, and there was no evidence of cholestatic hepatotoxicity or drug-induced liver injury.
About Vimseltinib

Vimseltinib is an oral, switch-control tyrosine kinase inhibitor specifically designed to selectively and potently inhibit CSF1R. Vimseltinib has been developed using Deciphera’s proprietary switch-control kinase inhibitor platform. It has been approved in the United States for adult patients with symptomatic TGCT for which surgical resection will potentially cause worsening functional limitation or severe morbidity, and in the European Union for adult patients with TGCT associated with clinically relevant physical function deterioration and in whom surgical options have been exhausted or would induce unacceptable morbidity or disability.

About Tenosynovial Giant Cell Tumor (TGCT)

TGCT is caused by a dysregulation in colony-stimulating factor 1 (CSF1) gene leading to overproduction of CSF1 and recruitment of colony-stimulating factor 1 receptor (CSF1R)-positive inflammatory cells into the lesion.1 TGCT is also known as giant cell tumor of the tendon sheath (GCT-TS) or pigmented villonodular synovitis (PVNS). TGCT is a rare, locally aggressive neoplasm that can grow and cause damage to surrounding tissues and structures inducing pain, swelling, and limitation of movement of the joint. Surgery is the main treatment option; however, these tumors tend to recur, particularly in diffuse-type TGCT. If untreated or if the tumor continually recurs, damage and degeneration may occur in the affected joint and surrounding tissues, which may cause significant disability. For a subset of patients, surgical resection will potentially cause worsening functional limitation or severe morbidity. Systemic treatment options are limited and new therapeutic options are needed.

(Press release, Ono, OCT 17, 2025, View Source [SID1234656755])