Nectin Therapeutics Ltd. recently announced progress in its Phase 1 clinical trial of NTX1088, a novel targeted immunotherapy designed to overcome resistance to existing immune oncology treatments. The trial now includes a combination therapy arm with the well-known immune-oncology drug KEYTRUDA® (pembrolizumab), Merck's anti-PD-1 therapy, and has expanded to five global sites.

These clinical trial sites include City of Hope in California, Sheba Medical Center, and Hadassah Medical Center in Israel, as well as MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, Texas, and Ochsner MD Anderson Cancer Center in Louisiana. The NTX1088 clinical trial marks the inaugural enrollment of patients at the newly established Ochsner MD Anderson Cancer Center partnership, emphasizing accessibility to advanced care and clinical trials for Ochsner cancer patients.

Dr. Marc Matrana, Director of Precision Cancer Therapies and Research Program at Ochsner, expressed the center's commitment to providing top-notch cancer care and ensuring patient access to innovative therapies. The decision to collaborate with Nectin Therapeutics in supporting the Phase 1 trial of NTX1088 stems from the impressive preclinical data and the unique mechanism of action involving PVR blockade.

NTX1088, Nectin's pioneering monoclonal antibody directed against PVR (CD155), a protein linked to resistance to PD1 and PDL1 immune checkpoint inhibitors, represents the company's lead candidate. The blockade of PVR by NTX1088 is a groundbreaking therapeutic approach focused on reinstating the antitumor immune activity of DNAM1 (CD226). DNAM1 plays a central role in T-cell and NK cell function but is degraded by PVR on tumor cells. By blocking PVR, NTX1088 aims to restore DNAM1 expression and activation, resulting in enhanced antitumor activity from T-cells and NK cells. Moreover, PVR blockade by NTX1088 inhibits the suppressive signaling of various immune checkpoint receptors, including TIGIT and CD96, further stimulating an antitumor immune response. NTX1088 is currently undergoing clinical evaluation both as a monotherapy and in combination with KEYTRUDA® in patients with advanced solid tumors.

Dr. Keren Paz, Chief Development Officer of Nectin Therapeutics, expressed optimism about the swift progress of the NTX1088 clinical program, highlighting the collaboration with Merck and the expanded clinical trial sites as instrumental in increasing cancer patients' access to the trial.

The NTX1088 Phase 1 trial receives support from The Cancer Focus Fund, an investment fund in collaboration with The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. This fund not only provides financial support but also leverages the clinical trial expertise and infrastructure of MD Anderson Cancer Center sites.

In conclusion, NTX1088 represents a promising advancement in targeted immunotherapies, and its Phase 1 clinical trial, especially with the inclusion of combination therapy, showcases a significant step forward in addressing resistance to immune oncology treatments.

 

Source: prnewswire.com

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