Chimeric Therapeutics (ASX:CHM) has announced promising early results from its ongoing Phase 1/2 clinical trial of CHM CDH17, a novel third-generation CAR-T therapy targeting gastrointestinal cancers.
The company confirmed that patients treated at a higher dose level are showing signs of disease control, with measurable tumour shrinkage. According to the data, two patients at Dose Level 2 experienced mixed responses, including a 12 per cent reduction in colorectal cancer tumour burden and reductions of between 6 and 16 per cent in neuroendocrine tumours. One tumour in the study decreased in size by 37 per cent. Importantly, the trial’s Safety Monitoring Committee has deemed Dose Level 2 safe for further exploration, with no evidence of off-target effects or gastrointestinal toxicity observed.
In addition, a patient from the lower Dose Level 1 cohort continues to demonstrate durable benefit more than 10 months after receiving a single dose. That patient has maintained stable disease, with one tumour shrinking by 18 per cent and the response continuing to deepen over time.
Professor Jennifer Eads, lead investigator from the University of Pennsylvania, described the results as a milestone after years of development. “I am thrilled to see CHM CDH17 demonstrating real anti-tumour activity and durability that can really be meaningful for patients,” she said. Chimeric’s Chief Executive Officer, Dr Rebecca McQualter, added that the results provide confidence as the company prepares to follow additional patients at the higher dose.
The Phase 1/2 study is designed to determine the recommended Phase 2 dose and assess safety and efficacy in patients with advanced colorectal cancer, gastric cancer, and gastrointestinal neuroendocrine tumours. CHM CDH17 was developed at the University of Pennsylvania’s Abramson Family Cancer Research Institute and has previously demonstrated complete tumour eradication in preclinical models.