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1.5-Year Follow-Up Data from a Global Study of Olverembatinib Reaffirms Potential in Overcoming Resistance/Intolerance to Ponatinib or Asciminib

On December 10, 2024 Ascentage Pharma (6855.HK), a global biopharmaceutical company engaged in discovering, developing, and commercializing therapies to address global unmet medical needs primarily for malignancies, reported that it has released the latest clinical data from a global study of its novel drug candidate, olverembatinib (HQP1351), in patients with heavily pretreated chronic myeloid leukemia (CML), in a Poster Presentation at the 66th American Society of Hematology (ASH) (Free ASH Whitepaper) Annual Meeting, taking place in San Diego, CA, the United States (Press release, Ascentage Pharma, DEC 10, 2024, View Source;1-5-year-follow-up-data-from-a-global-study-of-olverembatinib-reaffirms-potential-in-overcoming-resistanceintolerance-to-ponatinib-or-asciminib-302327550.html [SID1234649007]). Prof. Hagop Kantarjian, MD, and Prof. Elias Jabbour, MD, from the Department of Leukemia, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, are the principal investigators of the study.

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The ASH (Free ASH Whitepaper) Annual Meeting is one of the largest gatherings of the international hematology community, bringing together the most cutting-edge scientific research and latest data of investigational therapies that represent leading scientific and clinical advances in the global hematology field. Garnering growing interest from the global research community, results from multiple clinical and preclinical studies on four of Ascentage Pharma’s drug candidates (olverembatinib, lisaftoclax, APG-2449, and APG-5918) have been selected for presentations, including two Oral Reports, at this year’s ASH (Free ASH Whitepaper) Annual Meeting. Furthermore, this is the seventh consecutive year for studies of olverembatinib to be selected for Oral Reports at the meeting.

After releasing the preliminary results from the global study of olverembatinib in an Oral Report at ASH (Free ASH Whitepaper) 2022 and the updated results from a larger patient sample at ASH (Free ASH Whitepaper) 2023, this year Ascentage Pharma presented the 1.5-year follow-up data in patients with heavily pretreated CML-CP. In the latest data, olverembatinib showed strong, durable and consistent antileukemic activity, the ability to overcome resistance/intolerance to the third-generation tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) ponatinib or the allosteric STAMP inhibitor asciminib, as well as favorable tolerability in patients with heavily pretreated CML-CP.

As the first approved third-generation BCR-ABL inhibitor in China, olverembatinib has already been approved for the treatment of adult patients with tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI)-resistant CP-CML or accelerated-phase (AP-) CML harboring the T315I mutation; and adult patients with CP-CML resistant to and/or intolerant of first- and second-generation TKIs. In January 2024, olverembatinib was cleared by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to enter a global registrational Phase III trial in previously treated adult patients with CML-CP.

Prof. Elias Jabbour commented, "Olverembatinib is a very promising next-generation TKI, and existing data demonstrate its therapeutic ability in patients with resistant/intolerant to ≥2 TKIs CP-CML and above. The high response rate that Olverembatinib has shown in Ponatinib or Asciminib failed patients is encouraging. We continue to recruit for the global Phase III trial examining this novel therapy."

Dr. Yifan Zhai, Chief Medical Officer of Ascentage Pharma, said, "The latest data from this global study further demonstrated olverembatinib’s therapeutic potential in patients with drug-resistant CML, including those who had failed prior treatment with ponatinib and asciminib, and once again underscored the drug candidate’s promise in addressing an unmet global clinical need in CML. At Present, a global registrational Phase III study of olverembatinib has been cleared by the US FDA and is already ongoing. We hope, in not too distant future, this innovative drug will become accessible to patients worldwide who are in desperate need of novel therapies. Fulfilling our founding mission of addressing unmet clinical needs in China and around the world, we will expedite the global clinical development of our key drug candidates such as olverembatinib to bring more safe and effective therapies to patients as soon as possible."

Highlights of the data this study reported at ASH (Free ASH Whitepaper) 2024 are as below:

Olverembatinib (HQP1351) Overcomes Resistance/Intolerance to Asciminib and Ponatinib in Patients (pts) with Heavily Pretreated Chronic-Phase Chronic Myeloid Leukemia (CP CML): A 1.5-Year Follow-up Update with Comprehensive Exposure-Response (E-R) Analyses

Format: Poster Presentation

Abstract#: 3151

Session: 632. Chronic Myeloid Leukemia: Clinical and Epidemiological: Poster II

Highlights:

Introduction: New treatment options are needed for patients with CP-CML resistant/intolerant to third-generation (3G) TKI ponatinib and/or asciminib, a specifically targeting the ABL myristoyl pocket (STAMP) inhibitor. Olverembatinib is a well-tolerated TKI with potential to overcome resistance. This update presents efficacy and safety data of olverembatinib in patients with heavily pretreated CP-CML.

Enrolled Patients and Study Methods:

Adults with CP-CML previously treated with ≥2 TKIs and/or a STAMP inhibitor, adequate organ function, and no major molecular response (MMR) were eligible.
As of July 28, 2024, 67 pts with CP-CML were enrolled; median (range) follow-up was 74.3 (0.1-217.1) weeks; median (range) age, 50 (21-80) years; and 38 (56.7%) patients were male.
Patients were randomly allocated to receive olverembatinib at doses of 30, 40, or 50 mg orally every other day (QOD) in 28-day cycles, with stratification based on T315I mutation status. Comprehensive E-R analyses were performed.
Efficacy Results:

No patient had efficacy at baseline. 35 of 60 (58.3%) evaluable patients achieved CCyR and 29/64 (45.3%) achieved MMR. At 12 months, the overall MMR rate was 61.4% (27/44). CCyR was achieved by 66.7% of patients with the T315I mutation vs 54.8% without it, and MMR was achieved by 50.0% vs 43.5%, respectively.
Of 28 cytogenetic response-evaluable patients with ponatinib-failed CP-CML, 15 (53.6%) achieved CCyR. The CCyR rates in patients with prior ponatinib resistance and intolerance were 52.2% (12/23) and 75.0% (3/4), respectively. In the 30 molecular response-evaluable patients who were previously treated with ponatinib, 12 (40.0%) achieved MMR, including 47.8% (11/23) of those with prior resistance and 16.7% (1/6) with intolerance. No patient above had efficacy at baseline.
In evaluable patients with asciminib treatment failure, 37.5% (6/16) achieved CCyR and 30% (6/20) achieved MMR, including a CCyR rate of 30.8% (4/13) and an MMR rate of 26.7% (4/15) in those with prior resistance, and a CCyR rate of 50.0% (1/2) and an MMR rate of 25.0% (1/4) in those with intolerance. No patient had efficacy at baseline.
Safety Results: Among 66 subjects receiving olverembatinib, a total of 62 (93.9%) reported treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs) of any grade, with 44 (66.7%) experiencing grade ≥ 3 TEAEs. In addition, 60 (90.9%) patients reported TRAEs of any grade. Common TRAEs (≥20%) were elevated creatine phosphokinase (37.9%), thrombocytopenia (24.2%), and increased alanine aminotransferase (22.7%).

Conclusions: Olverembatinib was well tolerated and showed strong and durable antileukemic activity in patients with heavily pretreated CP-CML. The registrational study is recruiting.

Ascentage Pharma Releases Updated Data of Bcl-2 Inhibitor Lisaftoclax in MDS that Demonstrates Potential Clinical Benefits and Favorable Safety

On December 10, 2024 Ascentage Pharma (6855.HK), a global biopharmaceutical company engaged in discovering, developing, and commercializing therapies to address global unmet medical needs primarily for malignancies, reported that it has released the follow-up safety and efficacy data of the company’s investigational Bcl-2 selective inhibitor, lisaftoclax (APG-2575), in combination with azacitidine (AZA) for the treatment of patients with myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS), in a Poster Presentation at the 66th American Society of Hematology (ASH) (Free ASH Whitepaper) Annual Meeting, taking place in San Diego, CA, the United States (Press release, Ascentage Pharma, DEC 10, 2024, View Source;ascentage-pharma-releases-updated-data-of-bcl-2-inhibitor-lisaftoclax-in-mds-that-demonstrates-potential-clinical-benefits-and-favorable-safety-302327621.html [SID1234649006]).

Thes data underscored the potential clinical benefit and manageable safety of lisaftoclax in combination with AZA in MDS. In the results, the combination regimen demonstrated an overall response rate (ORR) of 75% in patients with treatment-naïve (TN) or relapsed/refractory (R/R) MDS, and no patient withdrew from the study due to intolerable toxicities.

Prof. Jie Jin, the principal investigator of the study from the First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, noted, "For a long time, there has not been much progress in the treatment of higher-risk MDS and the outcome of the current standard treatment with hypomethylating agents has been disappointing. In patients with MDS, the investigational novel Bcl-2 inhibitor lisaftoclax in combination with AZA has demonstrated clinical benefit and manageable safety that support continued treatment. These observations suggest that the regimen can potentially offer a new standard treatment in MDS."

Prof. Huafeng Wang, the presenter of this study from the First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, commented, "Patients with higher-risk MDS often have inadequate marrow function and low tolerance for therapeutic agents. The investigational novel Bcl-2 inhibitor lisaftoclax in combination with AZA has shown encouraging clinical benefit, manageable safety, and low suppression on bone marrow function. More importantly, the regimen showed a low rate of treatment-related infections that were mostly mild, and a low rate of mortalities in early treatment, thus overcoming some of the biggest clinical challenges in this patient population."

Dr. Yifan Zhai, Chief Medical Officer of Ascentage Pharma, said, "These updated efficacy and safety data of lisaftoclax in combination with AZA are very encouraging as they reaffirmed the therapeutic potential of this novel drug candidate. A global registrational Phase III study of lisaftoclax in combination with AZA for the first-line treatment of MDS is currently ongoing and an NDA for lisaftoclax in R/R chronic lymphocytic leukemia/small lymphocytic lymphoma has already been accepted and granted the Priority Review designation in China. Fulfilling our founding mission of addressing unmet clinical needs in China and around the world, we will expedite the global clinical development of our key drug candidates to bring more safe and effective therapies to patients as soon as possible."

Highlights of the data this study reported at ASH (Free ASH Whitepaper) 2024 are as below:

Lisaftoclax (APG-2575), a Novel BCL-2 Inhibitor, in Combination with Azacitidine in Treatment of Patients with Myelodysplastic Syndrome (MDS)
Format: Poster Presentation
Abstract#: 3202
Session: 637. Myelodysplastic Syndromes: Clinical and Epidemiological: Poster II

Highlights:

Background: Hypomethylating agents (HMAs) remain the standard of care in higher-risk MDS. However, its clinical efficacy is limited, and patients who have failed or are resistant to HMAs have a poor prognosis, leaving them in need of new therapeutic options.

Introduction: Preclinical data have shown that novel investigational Bcl-2 inhibitor lisaftoclax combined with an HMA can synergistically induce apoptosis in cancer cells in AML and MDS. Reported here are the follow-up safety and efficacy data from a Phase Ib/II clinical trial evaluating lisaftoclax combined with azacitidine in adults (≥18 years) with MDS.

Enrolled Patients and Study Methods:

This study enrolled patients with higher-risk MDS (IPSS-R score > 3.5; blasts > 5%), including those with TN or R/R disease. Lisaftoclax at an assigned dose (400, 600, or 800 mg) was administered orally once daily from Days 1 to 14 and combined with azacitidine (75 mg/m2/day) on Days 1 to 7 in repeated 28-day cycles. A daily ramp-up was used before the first cycle to prevent TLS. The primary objectives of the study were to assess the efficacy and safety of the combination regimen in patients with MDS and establish the recommended Phase III dose for lisaftoclax. Complete response (CR) and marrow CR (mCR) rates were evaluated in accordance with 2006 International Working Group (IWG) criteria.
As of July 1, 2024, 49 patients were enrolled: 8 had R/R MDS (lisaftoclax 600 mg [n=5] and 800 mg [n=3]) and 41 had TN MDS (lisaftoclax 400 mg [n=16], 600 mg [n=23], and 800 mg [n=2]). The median (range) age was 66 (22-83) years, and 55.1% of patients were male. IPSS-R risk categories were intermediate (12/49 [24.5%]), high (24/49 [49.0%]), and very high (13/49 [26.5%]). Among the 39 patients with genetic mutational profile data, 9 (23.1%) had TP53 mutations; 11 (28.2%) had TET2 mutations; 10 (25.6%) had ASXL1 mutations; and 10 (25.6%) had RUNX1 mutations. At baseline, 70.8% of patients reported grade ≥ 3 anemia; 54.2% had grade ≥ 3 neutropenia; and 45.8% had grade ≥ 3 thrombocytopenia.
Efficacy Results: In 8 patients with R/R MDS, the median (range) duration of treatment (DOT) was 3.2 (1.2-9.4) months. The ORR (CR[12.5%]+marrow CR[62.5%]) was 75.0% (95% CI, 34.9-96.8). In 40 efficacy-evaluable patients with TN MDS, the median DOT (range) was 4.5 (0.5-12.1) months; the ORR was 77.5% (95% CI, 61.5-89.2); and the CR rate was 25.0% per IWG 2006 criteria. Furthermore, the ORR and CR rate in 23 patients with TN MDS treated with lisaftoclax 600 mg combined with azacitidine were 73.9% and 30.4%, respectively; because these patients had a relatively longer median DOT (6.01 months), we conducted further analyses per IWG 2023 criteria. The composite CR rate (CR2023 = CR [52.2%] + CRL [17.4%]) was 69.6%, and the median time to CR (range) was 2.84 (1.1-8.7) months. Both the median progression-free survival and overall survival rates were not reached.

Safety Results:

Grade ≥ 3 infections were reported in 46.9% of patients, of which 26.5% were treatment related. Treatment delays between cycles due to AEs occurred in 11 (22.4%) patients, with a median delay time (range) of 12 (1-63) days.
A total of 95.9% of patients reported TRAEs, of which 87.8% were grade ≥ 3 AEs and 28.6% were serious AEs. Common grade ≥ 3 hematologic TRAEs included leukocyte count decreased (71.4%), neutropenia (65.3%), thrombocytopenia (65.3%), anemia (20.4%), and febrile neutropenia (12.2%).
Neither 60-day mortality nor TLS was reported.
Conclusions: The clinical data support an emerging role for lisaftoclax in combination with azacitidine for treatment of patients with higher-risk TN or R/R MDS. The combination therapy was efficacious and well tolerated, resulting in no 60-day mortality, few dose modifications, and low infection rates, supporting further clinical development of this combination in patients with higher-risk MDS.

IDEAYA Announces First-Patient-In for Phase 1 Clinical Trial Evaluating IDE161 in Combination with KEYTRUDA® (pembrolizumab) in Patients with Endometrial Cancer

On December 10, 2024 IDEAYA Biosciences, Inc. (Nasdaq:IDYA), a precision medicine oncology company committed to the discovery and development of targeted therapeutics, reported that it has dosed the first patient in the IDEAYA-sponsored Phase 1 trial evaluating the combination of IDE161, the company’s investigational, potential first-in-class, small molecule poly (ADP-ribose) glycohydrolase, or PARG, inhibitor, in combination with Merck’s (known as MSD outside of the US and Canada) anti-PD-1 therapy, KEYTRUDA (pembrolizumab), in endometrial cancer patients with high microsatellite instability (MSI-high) and microsatellite stable(MSS) (Press release, Ideaya Biosciences, DEC 10, 2024, View Source [SID1234649005]).

"We continue to progress our IDE161 program and are excited to have the first patient dosed evaluating IDE161 in combination with KEYTRUDA in MSI-high and MSS endometrial cancer patients. This trial is part of our overall IDE161 clinical combination strategy that is focused on high conviction rational combinations," commented Dr. Darrin M. Beaupre, M.D., Ph.D., Chief Medical Officer, IDEAYA Biosciences.

"We are continually looking for ways to improve outcomes for patients with MSI-high and MSS endometrial cancer, and PARG has shown promising potential as a precision oncology target in these settings. IDE161 has shown robust anti-tumor activity in preclinical models, and I look forward to evaluating IDE161’s impact on endometrial cancer patients in combination with KEYTRUDA," added Dr. Panos Konstantinopoulos, M.D., Ph.D., Director of Translational Research and attending oncologist in the Division of Gynecologic Oncology at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, and an Associate Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School.

IDE161 is a potential first-in-class inhibitor of poly(ADP-ribose) glycohydrolase (PARG), a novel, mechanistically distinct target in the same clinically validated biological pathway as poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP). IDE161 has been granted two FDA Fast Track designations in platinum-resistant advanced or metastatic ovarian cancer patients having tumors with BRCA1/2 mutations, and in pretreated advanced or metastatic HR+, Her2-, BRACA1/2 mutant breast cancer.

Under the clinical trial collaboration and supply agreement, Merck will provide KEYTRUDA to IDEAYA, the sponsor of the Phase 1 clinical combination trial. IDEAYA and Merck each retain all commercial rights to their respective compounds, including as monotherapy or as combination therapies.

The safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics and efficacy of IDE161 in combination with KEYTRUDA is being evaluated as an arm in IDE161-001 (NCT05787587), an IDEAYA-sponsored Phase 1 trial of IDE161 in solid tumors. The selection of an initial Phase 1/2 monotherapy expansion dose has been made in a priority tumor type based on adverse event (AE) profile and preliminary clinical efficacy observed.

KEYTRUDA is a registered trademark of Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC, a subsidiary of Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ, USA.

TransThera Announces the Phase I Study Results of TT-01488, a Novel Non-Covalent BTK Inhibitor, in Patients with Relapsed or Refractory B-cell Malignancies

On December 10, 2024 TransThera Sciences (Nanjing), Inc. (the "TransThera"), a clinical demand-oriented, registrational clinical stage biopharmaceutical company focusing on discovering and developing innovative small molecule therapies for oncology, inflammatory and cardiometabolic diseases, reported the poster presentation at the 2024 American Society of Hematology (ASH) (Free ASH Whitepaper) Annual Meeting to discuss the phase I study results of TT-01488, a novel reversible BTK inhibitor for patients with relapsed or refractory B-cell malignancies (Press release, TransThera Biosciences, DEC 10, 2024, View Source;in-patients-with-relapsed-or-refractory-b-cell-malignancies-302326854.html [SID1234649004]).

Bruton’s tyrosine kinase (BTK) plays a critical role in the B-cell receptor signaling pathway, functioning as an important regulator of cell proliferation and cell survival in various B-cell malignancies. Currently there are 5 approved irreversible BTK inhibitors (BTKis) in the world. Due to the emergence of acquired mutation in the inhibitor’s covalent binding site (C481S), there is a high unmet medical need to develop next-generation BTKi to overcome the resistance.

TT-01488 is a next-generation, non-covalent, reversible BTKi which can overcome the acquired resistance to irreversible BTKis. In the preclinical study, TT-01488 potently Inhibits both wildtype and C481S-mutant BTK.

The Phase I study of TT-01488 presented at ASH (Free ASH Whitepaper) Annual Meeting was an open, multi-center, dose escalation study. As of the data cut-off date on October 2, 2024, 18 patients with pre-treated B-cell malignancies were enrolled, with the median 3 lines of prior therapies. TT-01488 was well-tolerated in all patients. Neither dose limiting toxicity (DLT) occurred nor any bleeding, atrial flutter or atrial fibrillation was reported. In pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics study, sustained pBTK C481S-mutant inhibition covering IC90 was observed at steady state following multiple dosing at both 150 mg (QD) and 100 mg (BID) dose levels. Among 14 efficacy evaluable patients, objective response rate (ORR) was 57% (8/14)，including 3 complete remission (CR) and 5 partial remission (PR). 100% (7/7) of ORR was achieved in mantle cell lymphoma (MCL), Waldenström macroglobulinemia (WM) and marginal zone lymphoma (MZL). Overall, TT-01488 showed encouraging efficacy in B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma (B-NHL) patients, regardless of C481S status and with/without prior cBTKi therapy.

About TT-01488

TT-01488 is an internally developed, non-covalent, reversible BTK inhibitor to overcome acquired resistance developed from marketed covalent BTK inhibitors in various types of relapsed or refractory hematological malignancies. TT-01488 is highly potent against BTK wild type and mutation with high selectivity over EGFR and Tec, indicating its potential for good efficacy and safety.

Pilatus Biosciences Inc. Secures FDA Orphan Drug Designation for PLT012: A Breakthrough in Liver and Intrahepatic Bile Duct Cancer Treatment

On December 10, 2024 Pilatus Biosciences Inc. reported that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted Orphan Drug Designation (ODD) to its leading molecule, PLT012, for treating liver and intrahepatic bile duct cancer (HCC/ICCA) (Press release, Pilatus Biosciences, DEC 10, 2024, View Source [SID1234649003]). Achieved in November 2024, this designation marks a crucial advancement in developing innovative therapies for patients facing these challenging cancers. Dr. Raven Lin, CEO, emphasized the company’s commitment to addressing urgent medical needs, while Prof. Ping-Chih Ho highlighted PLT012’s unique therapeutic approach targeting the tumor microenvironment. Pilatus is actively working with regulatory authorities to expedite PLT012’s development and availability.

Pilatus Biosciences, a preclinical-stage biopharmaceutical company spun out from the Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research (Lausanne), is leading the development of first-in-class biologics targeting metabolic checkpoints. Supported by the Cancer Research Institute (New York), the company employs a pioneering approach to immunometabolism, reprogramming the immune microenvironment to combat cancer effectively.

"We are honored to receive Orphan Drug Designation for PLT012, a milestone that reflects our dedication to addressing the urgent need for innovative therapies in liver and intrahepatic bile duct cancer," said Dr. Raven Lin, CEO and Co-founder of Pilatus Biosciences. Prof. Ping-Chih Ho, Chair of the Scientific Advisory Board and Co-founder of Pilatus Biosciences, added, "PLT012 leverages metabolic checkpoint targeting to reprogram the tumor microenvironment (TME), offering a unique therapeutic approach. This designation highlights the promising scientific discoveries and results we have achieved in addressing the underserved area. It further motivates us to accelerate PLT012’s development and collaborate globally to bring this promising treatment to patients with limited options."

Currently, Pilatus Biosciences is advancing the development of PLT012, actively engaging with regulatory authorities and stakeholders to expedite the availability of this promising therapy.

About PLT012

PLT012, is a humanized anti-CD36 antibody with a unique dual mechanism of action (MOA): it simultaneously disarms immunosuppressive cell populations and amplifies effector T cell functions. PLT012 has shown potential against multiple tumors with unmet medical needs. It is set to advance to its first U.S. IND submission and first patient dosing in 2025. As a monotherapy, PLT012 demonstrates remarkable anti-tumor efficacy in both immune ‘hot’ and ‘cold’ tumor models with a significant augmentation in GzmB-expressing CD8+ T cells and reductions in both intratumoral Tregs and pro-tumorigenic macrophage. Additionally, PLT012 treatment alters the exhaustion features of cytotoxic CD8+ T cells by increasing the populations of progenitor- (Texprog) and tumoricidal activities in terminal-exhausted T cells (Texterm), highlighting enhanced anti-tumor immunity when combined with immune checkpoint blockade therapies, such as PD-1 or PD-L1 inhibitors.

About Orphan Drug Designation

The FDA’s Orphan Drug Designation (ODD) program provides orphan status to drugs defined as those intended for the treatment, diagnosis or prevention of rare diseases that affect fewer than 200,000 people in the United States. ODD qualifies the sponsor of the drug for certain development incentives, including tax credits for qualified clinical testing, prescription drug user fee exemptions and 7 years marketing exclusivity upon FDA approval.

About Liver and Intrahepatic Bile Duct Cancer (HCC/ICCA)

Primary liver cancer first occurs in either the liver or the intrahepatic bile ducts. The two most common types of liver and intrahepatic bile duct cancer are hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC, 80-90% of cases), and intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICCA, 10-15% of cases). In HCC and ICCA, metabolic reprogramming plays a crucial role in promoting tumor progression by modifying the TME to support tumor growth and immune evasion.

For HCC, the most common first-line systemic therapies include either a combination of a PD-L1 inhibitor and a VEGF inhibitor or a combination of a PD-L1 inhibitor and a CTLA-4 inhibitor. Most patients will require multiple lines of treatment, as the recurrence rate of HCC has been reported to be as high as 88%. Second-line treatments for HCC are primarily multiple tyrosine kinase receptor inhibitors, even the incidence of a second HCC recurrence is 50%-70%. Additional lines of treatment may be administered if the patient can tolerate a second-line therapy with a different MOA than those previously administered.

PLT012 emerges as a promising candidate, demonstrating dual MOA that synergizes with existing treatments and provide immune-stimulating effects in the TME, potentially enhancing therapeutic outcomes.