Immunocore Unveils Promising Data for Brenetafusp in Ovarian Cancer

Immunocore Advances Brenetafusp's Clinical Journey

Immunocore, a biotechnology company focused on developing cutting-edge immunomodulating medications, has announced significant Phase 1 findings for brenetafusp, an ImmTAC bispecific targeting PRAME, in ovarian cancer patients resistant to platinum therapy. These findings were presented at a prominent medical congress, demonstrating that brenetafusp not only works effectively as a standalone treatment but can also be safely combined with chemotherapy.

Clinical Activity and Safety Observations

In a study involving patients who had undergone extensive prior treatments, the results highlighted that brenetafusp as a monotherapy yielded a remarkable disease control rate. Specifically, among patients with heavily pre-treated platinum-resistant ovarian cancer, the treatment showcased the expected signs of clinical activity, including disease control and molecular responses.

David Berman, the Head of Research and Development at Immunocore, pointed out that the data reflects promising early efficacy. He stressed that brenetafusp demonstrated significant clinical activity characteristics, supporting its further exploration in earlier treatment lines for ovarian cancer.

Treatment Methodology and Results

The clinical trial included 37 patients with a median of five previous treatment lines. Notably, 81% of these patients had previously received bevacizumab, and 59% had been treated with PARP inhibitors. Importantly, no treatment-related discontinuations were recorded, reinforcing the therapy’s acceptability among patients.

Among evaluable patients, approximately 58% demonstrated disease control, reflecting a partial response and stable disease outcomes. This efficacy suggests that brenetafusp could represent a vital addition to the treatment landscape for ovarian cancer.

Combination Therapy Outcomes

In another segment of the trial, 16 patients with platinum-resistant ovarian cancer were treated with a combination of brenetafusp with various chemotherapy agents, such as gemcitabine and nab-paclitaxel. The results were equally promising, with a 69% disease control rate noted among evaluable patients. Historical data indicates that patients in such heavily pre-treated categories could expect less than a 10% response rate from traditional chemotherapy, marking brenetafusp’s combination therapy as significantly advantageous.

Role of T Cell Fitness in Treatment Efficacy

Crucial findings from the trial emphasized the importance of T cell fitness gene expression signatures in predicting clinical outcomes. Patients with a higher T cell fitness signature exhibited improved disease control and progression-free survival compared to those with lower expressions. This suggests potential avenues for patient stratification and personalized treatment approaches.

Broader Implications for Immunocore's Portfolio

Immunocore is committed to advancing its ImmTAC technology, which has demonstrated the capability to treat multiple types of cancers by effectively activating the immune system to target malignant cells. The technology's application is being extended to other cancers and treatments, showcasing the company's ambitious pipeline in oncology.

As the research on brenetafusp continues, findings from various studies will likely inform ongoing development and optimization of therapies aimed at harnessing the immune system's capabilities.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is brenetafusp?

Brenetafusp is an ImmTAC bispecific therapy developed by Immunocore that targets the PRAME antigen, aiming to engage T cells in fighting cancer.

How does brenetafusp work?

Brenetafusp works by redirecting the immune system, specifically T cells, to identify and destroy cancer cells expressing the PRAME antigen.

What were the main findings from the Phase 1 trial?

The Phase 1 trial indicated promising efficacy and safety profiles for brenetafusp, demonstrating significant disease control in heavily pre-treated patients.

Can brenetafusp be combined with chemotherapy?

Yes, the data suggests that brenetafusp can be safely combined with chemotherapy, yielding enhanced clinical outcomes compared to chemotherapy alone.

What is the next step for Immunocore?

Immunocore plans to pursue further research on brenetafusp, including trials in earlier treatment lines and additional combination therapies.

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