Immutep (ASX:IMM) has announced positive clinical results from Cohort B of the TACTI-003 (KEYNOTEC34) Phase 2b trial.
Immutep is an Australian clinical-stage biotechnology company developing novel LAG-3 immunotherapies for cancer and autoimmune diseases.
The KEYNOTEC34 study is evaluating Immutep's eftilagimod alpha (efti) in combination with MSD’s anti-PD-1 therapy KEYTRUDA (pembrolizumab) for first-line metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma in patients with negative PD-L1 expression.
Immutep said the new data presented by Dr Martin Forster at the ESMO Immuno-Oncology Annual Congress 2024 includes strong overall survival, progression-free survival, and durability.
Professor Martin Forster of the UCL Cancer Institute and University College London Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, and TACTI-003 Investigator, said, “The new survival and durability data, coupled with increasing complete responses, build on the strong response rates already established with this novel IO combination in head and neck squamous cell cancers with PD-L1 CPS <1. This difficult-to-treat disease places a high burden on patients who unfortunately have very limited treatment options that all include chemotherapy. Collectively, these impressive results build on the potential promise of efti to improve patient outcomes and expand populations that respond to anti-PD-1.
Immutep said the combination of its efti and KEYTRUDA produced a median overall survival at 12 months of 67 per cent, progression-free survival of 5.8 months, interim median duration of response of 9.3 months, a 35.5 per cent objective response rate and 58.1 per cent disease control rate.
Immutep CEO Marc Voigt said, “Despite the significant progress of cancer immunotherapy over the past decade and the positive change in the therapeutic landscape it has brought to bear, head and neck cancer patients with PD-L1 expression of less than one continue to have limited treatment options that all include chemotherapy. We believe this data is an encouraging step in the right direction towards potentially bringing a new approach to this underserved population, representing up to 20% of patients with this difficult disease.”