CHICAGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Biothera’s investigational cancer immunotherapy Imprime PGG in combination with standard platinum-based doublet chemotherapy and the monoclonal antibody bevacizumab achieved rapid and lasting responses in patients with non-squamous non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Tumor reduction was observed regardless of tumor burden (up to > 30 cm) or location of lesions at baseline (including lung, lymph nodes, adrenals, liver). These findings were presented yesterday during a poster session at the annual meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (abstract #3070).
“Our study has shown promising results for patients living with non-small cell lung cancer who receive Imprime PGG in combination with bevacizumab during both chemotherapy and chemotherapy-free maintenance treatment”
During Biothera’s randomized clinical study in non-squamous NSCLC, patients received four to six cycles of Imprime PGG in combination with bevacizumab and carboplatin/ paclitaxel chemotherapy. These treatment cycles were followed by a maintenance therapy phase consisting of bevacizumab with or without Imprime PGG.
Overall, the objective response rate was 60.4% with Imprime PGG versus 43.5% in the control group. Time to response was short (12 weeks vs. > 16 weeks), and responses were durable with Imprime PGG (10.3 months vs. 5.6 months). In the maintenance phase, further meaningful tumor reductions were observed in 20% of patients in the Imprime PGG group, but none in the control group. These findings were associated with numerical increases in overall survival: at the 1-year mark (following treatment start) 62.8% of patients on Imprime PGG remained alive, compared with 42.7% of patients in the control group.
“Our study has shown promising results for patients living with non-small cell lung cancer who receive Imprime PGG in combination with bevacizumab during both chemotherapy and chemotherapy-free maintenance treatment,” said Ada Braun, Biothera’s Chief Medical Officer. “Findings presented at ASCO suggest that the combination of Imprime PGG with bevacizumab is associated with rapid, profound and lasting tumor control. We will continue to study its efficacy and safety across different tumor types in future studies.”
About Biothera
Biothera is a privately held biotechnology company developing Imprime PGG, a late clinical stage immunotherapeutic drug candidate that modulates key immune cells to recognize and kill cancer. Proof of concept has been established from randomized and single-arm Phase 2 studies in non-small cell lung cancer, colorectal cancer, and chronic lymphocytic leukemia. Studies are ongoing in metastatic colorectal cancer and non-Hodgkin lymphoma. In addition, new research shows that Imprime PGG elicits cross talk that bridges innate and adaptive immunity that may result in coordinated immune response to cancer.
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Biothera, the Immune Health Company
David Walsh, 651-256-4606
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Marketing & Communications
dwalsh@biothera.com
