-- In pancreatic cancer patient trial, excellent receptor blockade achieved with chemokine receptor CCR2 inhibitor CCX872, bodes well for ongoing multi-dose part of clinical trial; Patient enrollment reaches 20 percent of target --
-- In triple negative breast cancer model, small molecule inhibitor of chemokine receptor CCR1 potentiates anti-tumor effect in combination with PD-L1 checkpoint inhibitor --
MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif., Nov. 4, 2015 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- ChemoCentryx, Inc., (Nasdaq:CCXI), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on autoimmune diseases, inflammatory disorders and cancer, today announced that two abstracts from the Company’s immuno-oncology programs have been selected for presentation at the AACR-NCI-EORTC International Conference on Molecular Targets and Cancer Therapeutics being held November 5-9, 2015 in Boston, Massachusetts. The abstracts highlight clinical stage results in a pancreatic cancer trial with CCX872, the Company’s second inhibitor of the chemokine receptor known as CCR2, and, separately, preclinical results in a model of triple negative breast cancer using combination therapy employing an antibody against the checkpoint inhibitor PD-L1 in conjunction with CCX9588, an inhibitor of the chemokine receptor known as CCR1.
“Tumors have devised ways to suppress anti-tumor immune responses in part by importing immune suppressor cells into the tumor microenvironment. One goal of our chemoattractant based immuno-oncology program is to develop treatments that specifically reduce the content of immune suppressive elements in the tumor mass, thus enabling the body’s effector immune response to predominate,” said Thomas J. Schall, Ph.D., President and Chief Executive Officer. “Towards this end, in our pancreatic cancer trial we are encouraged by observations to date of excellent coverage of the receptor CCR2, which guides suppressor cells to the tumor, by our drug CCX872, and we except to see greater than 90 percent receptor coverage continuously in the ongoing multi-dose portion of the study. Patient recruitment in the trial is ramping up, having reached 20 percent of the target enrollment, and we look forward to efficacy data from this trial in 2016. Also, our preclinical model work using a combination of checkpoint inhibitor antibody therapy in combination with an orally administered chemokine receptor inhibitor may pave the way for new treatment options in such important areas as triple negative breast cancer.”
Part A Results of Pancreatic Cancer Clinical Trial for CCX872
Pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic profile of the novel, oral and selective CCR2 inhibitor CCX872-B in a Phase Ib pancreatic cancer trial, Hezel et al, (Abstract #B24, poster presentation November 7 from 12:30-3:30 p.m. ET, Session B, Hall C-D)
In the ongoing clinical trial in patients with pancreatic cancer with the Company’s CCR2 inhibitor, CCX872, all patients are receiving FOLFIRINOX and CCX872. The two-part trial includes Part A, in which patients receive a single dose of CCX872, and Part B, in which patients receive once or twice daily doses of CCX872 initially for 12 weeks with the ability to continue treatment unless disease progression or unacceptable intolerability occurs. In the trial, the Company plans to evaluate CCX872 in up to 54 patients. The primary efficacy measurement is progression-free survival when patients have completed at least 24 weeks of treatment.
From the abstract, after a single dose of CCX872, across four patients in Part A, the pharmacokinetic profile was favorable and pharmacodynamic assays demonstrated excellent receptor coverage after 12 hours. With 4 to 5-fold accumulation of plasma concentrations with twice daily dosing in Part B, the authors expect to see greater than 90 percent coverage of the receptor throughout the day.
Preclinical Data of Combination Therapy of Chemokine Receptor and Checkpoint Inhibitors
Combination therapy of chemokine receptor inhibition plus PD-L1 blockade potentiates anti-tumor effects in a murine model of breast cancer, Jung et al, (Abstract #A90, poster presentation November 6 from 12:15-3:15 p.m. ET, Session A, Hall C-D)
The Company’s immuno-oncology program is pursuing a better understanding of the body’s immune response to tumors and is therefore conducting studies with various chemokine receptor inhibitors in combination with checkpoint inhibitors that may result in beneficial anti-tumor effects. Results from a study of one of the Company’s inhibitors of the chemokine receptor known as CCR1, CCX9588, demonstrated the ability to act synergistically with a PD-L1 inhibitor to reduce tumor burden in a preclinical model of triple negative breast cancer.
From the abstract, CCX9588, when delivered in combination with an anti-PDL1 antibody, resulted in significantly reduced primary tumor growth and lung metastasis, as compared to either agent alone. In addition, an analysis of tumor-infiltrating cells revealed that the addition of CCX9588 to the anti-PD-L1 antibody significantly reduced the number of myeloid derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) in primary tumors, potentially contributing to the overall reduction of tumor burden. These preclinical results were also accepted for presentation at the Society for Immunotherapy of Cancer (SITC) Annual Meeting being held from November 4-8, in National Harbor, MD.
“One of the most exciting advances in oncology in decades is the recent observation that modifiers of the activity of the body’s own immune system can profoundly enhance the response to chemotherapy,” said Israel F. Charo, M.D., Ph.D., Senior Vice President, Research, ChemoCentryx. “We believe that chemokine receptor inhibitors such as CCX9588, combined with immunotherapy or traditional chemotherapy, may result in greater efficacy and fewer systemic side effects.”
About the ChemoCentryx Immuno-Oncology Program
CCR1- and CCR2-bearing cells, such as myeloid derived suppressor cells (MDSCs), are thought to possess an immunosuppressive behavior. MDSCs effectively help tumors hide from the body’s natural cytotoxic immune response to tumor cells. Inhibiting CCR1 and CCR2, may lead to the liberation of the cytotoxic immune response against tumor cells, reduced tumor burden and potentially lead to improved patient survival.
The Company currently has an ongoing clinical trial of CCX872, an inhibitor of the chemokine receptor known as CCR2, in patients with non-resectable pancreatic cancer. In addition, the Company is conducting preclinical research with various chemokine receptor inhibitors in combination with checkpoint inhibitors, such as those inhibiting the PD-L1 pathway, which may result in a greater anti-tumor effect than with checkpoint inhibition alone. CCX9588 is a small molecule inhibitor of CCR1 and is currently in preclinical development for certain oncology indications targeting both solid and liquid tumors.
About ChemoCentryx
ChemoCentryx, Inc. is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on discovering, developing and commercializing orally-administered therapeutics that target the chemokine and chemoattractant systems in order to treat autoimmune diseases, inflammatory disorders and cancer. The chemokine system is a biological network that regulates inflammation via a collection of secreted chemokine molecules, or ligands, and their specific cell surface receptors. Based on its proprietary drug discovery and drug development platform, ChemoCentryx has generated multiple clinical and preclinical-stage programs, each targeting distinct chemokine and chemoattractant receptors with different small molecule compounds. CCX140, a CCR2 inhibitor, successfully completed a Phase II clinical trial where it was shown to be safe and well tolerated while demonstrating statistically significant improvements in kidney function in patients with diabetic nephropathy. CCX168, a C5aR inhibitor, is in Phase II development for the treatment of anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody-associated vasculitis (AAV). CCX168 appears to be safe, well tolerated and successful in allowing both reduction and elimination of high-dose corticosteroids, part of standard of care for AAV patients, without compromising efficacy or safety during a 12-week treatment period. CCX168 is also in Phase II pilot studies for the treatment of atypical Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome (aHUS) and Immunoglobulin A nephropathy, or IgA nephropathy (IgAN). CCX872, a second CCR2 inhibitor, successfully completed Phase I development and is in development for the treatment of non-resectable pancreatic cancer. Vercirnon (also known as Traficet-EN or CCX282) is a specific CCR9 inhibitor for the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease. Other clinical programs include CCX507, a next generation CCR9 inhibitor, which has successfully completed Phase I development and CCX354, a CCR1 inhibitor which successfully completed a Phase II clinical trial for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. ChemoCentryx also has several programs in advanced preclinical development.
Forward-Looking Statements
ChemoCentryx cautions that statements included in this press release that are not a description of historical facts are forward-looking statements. Words such as “may,” “could,” “will,” “would,” “should,” “expect,” “plan,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “intend,” “predict,” “seek,” “contemplate,” “potential,” “continue” or “project” or the negative of these terms or other comparable terminology are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These statements include the Company’s statements regarding the achievement of anticipated milestones in 2015 and 2016 and whether the Company’s drug candidates CCX872 and CCX9588 will be shown to be effective in ongoing or future clinical trials. The inclusion of forward-looking statements should not be regarded as a representation by ChemoCentryx that any of its plans will be achieved. Actual results may differ from those set forth in this release due to the risks and uncertainties inherent in the ChemoCentryx business and other risks described in the Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). Investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof, and ChemoCentryx undertakes no obligation to revise or update this news release to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof. Further information regarding these and other risks is included under the heading “Risk Factors” in ChemoCentryx’s periodic reports filed with the SEC, including ChemoCentryx’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC March 13, 2015 and its other reports which are available from the SEC’s website (www.sec.gov) and on ChemoCentryx’s website (www.chemocentryx.com) under the heading “Investors.” All forward-looking statements are qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement. This caution is made under the safe harbor provisions of Section 21E of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.
Source: ChemoCentryx, Inc.
CCXI-G
CONTACT: Susan M. Kanaya Senior Vice President, Finance and Chief Financial Officer or Markus J. Cappel, Ph.D. Chief Business Officer 650.210.2900 investor@chemocentryx.com Media: Denise Powell 510.703.9491 denise@redhousecomms.com Investors: Kimberly Minarovich Burns McClellan 212.213.0006 kminarovich@burnsmc.com
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