Immutep (ASX:IMM) has announced positive results from the second cohort of its Phase 2b trial involving its eftilagimod alfa in combination with MSD's KEYTRUDA (pembrolizumab).
Immutep's share price closed over 20 per cent higher in response to the results.
Eftilagimod alfa, known as 'efti', is a LAG-3 immunotherapy in development for cancer and autoimmune disease. The Phase 2b trial studies efti combined with KEYTRUDA as the first-line treatment of recurrent or metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma patients (1L HNSCC) with negative PD-L1 expression.
Dr Robert Metcalf from the Machester-based Christie NHS Foundation Trust presented the new and updated efficacy and safety data during an oral presentation at the European Society for Medical Oncology Virtual Plenary session.
The data shows that the combination achieved an objective response rate of 35.5 per cent - 11 of 31 evaluable patients - and a disease control rate of 58.1 per cent. Immutep said the results "compare favourably" to treatment with anti-PD-1 monotherapy. It said the combination also achieved a high complete response rate compared to monotherapy.
Dr Metcalf said, "The high response rate from this novel immunotherapy combination is well above other treatment approaches without chemotherapy. It matches historical response rates from chemotherapy-based treatments but without the associated toxicities. This is really significant for patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinomas who have a CPS [Combined Positive Score] less than one and for whom chemotherapy is the current first-line treatment.
"Achieving complete responses in this group bodes well for this immunotherapy combination's future potential, especially given the positive trend in response durability. The clinically meaningful response rate and high unmet medical need warrant further investigation of eftilagimod plus pembrolizumab in this patient population."
Immutep said that based on the encouraging efficacy and high unmet medical need, the path forward will be discussed with regulatory agencies.
