Data demonstrate objective response rates from 56% to 63% across three independent cohorts of advanced melanoma patients – about double the rate historically seen with anti-PD-1 alone in similar settings – per trial results to be presented in an oral session at ASCO
Clinically meaningful responses observed in post hoc analyses of populations of interest, including patients with poor prognosis factors, prior anti-PD-1 therapy in the adjuvant setting and varying tumor PD-L1 expression levels
Pivotal Phase 3 trials in adjuvant and first-line advanced melanoma underway
TARRYTOWN, NY, USA I May 25, 2023 I Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ: REGN) today announced positive data from three independent cohorts evaluating an investigational combination of LAG-3 inhibitor fianlimab and PD-1 inhibitor Libtayo® (cemiplimab) in adults with advanced melanoma. The early clinical trial results, which demonstrated the combination led to clinically meaningful and durable results across multiple clinical settings, will be shared in an oral session at the 2023 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting in Chicago on Monday, June 5 at 3:00 PM CT.
“LAG-3 inhibitors are known to complement PD-1 inhibitors in the treatment of advanced melanoma. There exists an unmet need to further improve the benefit to patients, including those with liver metastases and other high-risk prognostic markers,” said Omid Hamid, M.D., Director, Clinical Research and Immunotherapy at The Angeles Clinic and Research Institute, and principal investigator of the trial. “These updated and independent expansion cohort results reinforce the potential of the fianlimab and cemiplimab (Libtayo) combination to deliver clinically meaningful and durable responses in diverse clinical settings and patient populations, with an acceptable safety profile. Particularly encouraging is that the clinical activity was observed in post hoc analyses of patient subgroups, including in patients with a poor prognosis or those who had been previously treated with an anti-PD-1 therapy in the adjuvant setting.”
The data to be presented at ASCO 2023 include findings from three independent expansion cohorts of adults with unresectable or metastatic melanoma who were all naïve to anti-PD-1 therapy for advanced disease (n=98). Additional follow up will be reported on an initial cohort of first- or second-line patients (n=40) and a confirmatory cohort of first-line patients (n=40), previously reported at ESMO 2022. New for this presentation is a cohort of patients who had received prior systemic treatment for melanoma in the neoadjuvant or adjuvant setting (n=18), including adjuvant anti-PD-1 therapy (n=13 of 18).
Tumor responses were based on RECIST 1.1 criteria and per investigator assessment. The median duration of response (DOR) was not reached in any cohort, and the objective response rate (ORR) by cohort was as follows:
- Initial cohort: 63% (25 of 40 patients), including 6 complete responses (CR) and 19 partial responses (PR).
- Confirmatory cohort: 63% (25 of 40 patients), including 5 CRs and 20 PRs.
- Prior neo/adjuvant systemic therapy cohort: 56% (10 of 18 patients). Among the 13 patients in this latest cohort who had prior anti-PD-1 adjuvant treatment, the ORR was 62% (8 of 13 patients), including 1 CR and 7 PRs.
In a post hoc analysis of the three combined cohorts, the ORR was 61% (60 of 98 patients), the median progression-free survival (PFS) was 15 months per Kaplan-Meier estimate (95% CI: 9–NE), and the median follow-up was 13 months (interquartile range 9-19). Additional post hoc analyses found clinically meaningful activity in multiple subgroups of interest, with ORRs in each as follows:
- Poor prognosis: 53% (17 of 32 patients) in cases with high baseline lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), 43% (9 of 21 patients) in cases of liver metastasis, and 35% (6 of 17 patients) in cases of M1c stage (visceral metastatic) disease and high baseline LDH.
- Varying tumor PD-L1 expression levels: 73% (19 of 26 patients) in cases of ≥1% PD-L1 expression and 56% (23 of 41 patients) in cases of <1% PD-L1 expression.
The safety profile of the fianlimab and Libtayo combination in these expansion cohorts appeared to be generally consistent with the safety profile of Libtayo monotherapy and other anti-PD-(L)1 agents, except for higher rates of adrenal insufficiency, which were ≤Grade 2 in the majority of cases (64%) and all cases were successfully managed with steroid replacement. Adverse events (AEs) occurred in 94% of patients, with 44% being ≥Grade 3 and 30% considered serious. AEs occurring in ≥10% of patients included rash (20%), pruritis (16%), diarrhea (15%), arthralgia (13%), hypothyroidism (12%), adrenal insufficiency (11%) and myalgia (10%). The treatment discontinuation rate due to AEs was 16%.
“Fianlimab in combination with Libtayo has now demonstrated robust response rates in three independent advanced melanoma cohorts – each with unique patient populations,” said Israel Lowy, M.D., Ph.D., Senior Vice President, Translational and Clinical Sciences, Oncology at Regeneron. “These positive results support the clinical potential of fianlimab in combination with Libtayo. We look forward to partnering with the oncology community to further investigate this combination in a broad pivotal clinical development program that includes Phase 3 trials in the advanced and adjuvant melanoma settings, alongside ongoing Phase 2/3 trials in non-small cell lung cancer and research in other solid tumors.”
Additional presentations on the fianlimab and Libtayo combination will be shared at ASCO during a poster session on Saturday, June 3 from 1:15 to 4:15 PM CT, including:
- A Phase 1 study of fianlimab (anti-LAG-3) in combination with cemiplimab (anti-PD-1) in patients with advanced melanoma: poor prognosis subgroup analysis (#9548)
- A Phase 3 trial of fianlimab (anti-LAG-3) plus cemiplimab (anti-PD-1) versus pembrolizumab in patients with previously untreated unresectable locally advanced or metastatic melanoma (#TPS9602)
- A Phase 3 trial comparing fianlimab (anti-LAG-3) plus cemiplimab (anti-PD-1) to pembrolizumab in patients with completely resected high-risk melanoma (#TPS9598)
The potential use of fianlimab and Libtayo described above is investigational, and safety and efficacy of this combination have not been evaluated by any regulatory authority.
About Regeneron’s Approach to Cancer Research
At Regeneron, we’re applying more than three decades of scientific innovation with the goal of developing paradigm-changing therapies for patients with cancer.
Our portfolio is built around two foundational approaches – our approved PD-1 inhibitor Libtayo and investigational bispecific antibodies – which are being evaluated both as monotherapies and in combination with emerging therapeutic modalities. Together, they provide us with unique combinatorial flexibility to develop potentially synergistic treatments for a wide range of solid tumors and blood cancers.
If you are interested in learning more about our clinical trials, please contact us (clinicaltrials@regeneron.com“>clinicaltrials@regeneron.com or 844-734-6643) or visit our clinical trials website.
About the Phase 1 Trial
The Phase 1 trial is a first-in-human, multi-cohort study investigating fianlimab in combination with Libtayo in patients with advanced melanoma. The primary endpoint is ORR per RECIST 1.1 criteria; secondary endpoints include PFS, DOR, disease control rate (DCR), safety and pharmacokinetics (PK).
In these three expansion cohorts, 98 patients were enrolled and received fianlimab 1600 mg and Libtayo 350 mg intravenously every 3 weeks for up to 51 weeks, with a median follow up of 12.6 months and median treatment duration of 32.9 weeks. Additional analyses from the Phase 1 trial are ongoing.
About fianlimab
Fianlimab is a fully human monoclonal antibody targeting the immune checkpoint receptor LAG-3 on T cells and was invented using Regeneron’s proprietary VelocImmune® technology. In melanoma, LAG-3 expression on cancer cells is associated with therapeutic resistance to PD-1 inhibitors. Fianlimab is being investigated in combination with Regeneron’s PD-1 inhibitor Libtayo to determine whether concurrent blockade of LAG-3 and PD-1 can help overcome this resistance and release the brakes on T cell activation.
About Libtayo
Libtayo is a fully human monoclonal antibody targeting the immune checkpoint receptor PD-1 on T cells and was invented using Regeneron’s proprietary VelocImmune® technology. By binding to PD-1, Libtayo has been shown to block cancer cells from using the PD-1 pathway to suppress T-cell activation. In the U.S. and other countries Libtayo is indicated in certain patients with advanced basal cell carcinoma (BCC), advanced cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (CSCC) and advanced NSCLC, as well as in advanced cervical cancer in the European Union, Canada and Brazil. As of July 1, 2022, Libtayo is developed and marketed globally by Regeneron.
In the U.S., the generic name for Libtayo in its approved indications is cemiplimab-rwlc, with rwlc as the suffix designated in accordance with Nonproprietary Naming of Biological Products Guidance for Industry issued by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Outside of the U.S., the generic name of Libtayo in its approved indication is cemiplimab.
The extensive clinical program for Libtayo is focused on difficult-to-treat cancers. Libtayo is currently being investigated in trials as a monotherapy, as well as in combination with either conventional or novel therapeutic approaches for other solid tumors and blood cancers. These potential uses are investigational, and their safety and efficacy have not been evaluated by any regulatory authority.
U.S. FDA-approved Indications
Libtayo is a prescription medicine used to treat:
- People with a type of skin cancer called cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (CSCC) that has spread or cannot be cured by surgery or radiation.
- People with a type of skin cancer called basal cell carcinoma (BCC) when your BCC cannot be removed by surgery (locally advanced BCC) or when it has spread (metastatic BCC) and have received treatment with a hedgehog pathway inhibitor (HHI), or cannot receive treatment with a HHI.
- Adults with a type of lung cancer called non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).
- LIBTAYO may be used in combination with chemotherapy that contains a platinum medicine as your first treatment when your lung cancer has not spread outside your chest (locally advanced lung cancer) and you cannot have surgery or chemotherapy with radiation, or your lung cancer has spread to other areas of your body (metastatic lung cancer), and your tumor does not have an abnormal “EGFR,” “ALK,” or “ROS1” gene.
- LIBTAYO may be used alone as your first treatment when your lung cancer has not spread outside your chest (locally advanced lung cancer) and you cannot have surgery or chemotherapy with radiation, or your lung cancer has spread to other areas of your body (metastatic lung cancer), and your tumor tests positive for high “PD-L1,” and your tumor does not have an abnormal “EGFR,” “ALK,” or “ROS1” gene.
Please see full Prescribing Information, including Medication Guide.
About Regeneron’s VelocImmune Technology
Regeneron’s VelocImmune technology utilizes a proprietary genetically engineered mouse platform endowed with a genetically humanized immune system to produce optimized fully human antibodies. When Regeneron’s co-Founder, President and Chief Scientific Officer George D. Yancopoulos was a graduate student with his mentor Frederick W. Alt in 1985, they were the first to envision making such a genetically humanized mouse, and Regeneron has spent decades inventing and developing VelocImmune and related VelociSuite® technologies. Dr. Yancopoulos and his team have used VelocImmune technology to create a substantial proportion of all original, FDA-approved or authorized fully human monoclonal antibodies. This includes REGEN-COV® (casirivimab and imdevimab), Dupixent® (dupilumab), Libtayo®, Praluent® (alirocumab), Kevzara® (sarilumab), Evkeeza® (evinacumab-dgnb) and Inmazeb® (atoltivimab, maftivimab and odesivimab-ebgn).
About Regeneron
Regeneron is a leading biotechnology company that invents, develops and commercializes life-transforming medicines for people with serious diseases. Founded and led for 35 years by physician-scientists, our unique ability to repeatedly and consistently translate science into medicine has led to nine FDA-approved treatments and numerous product candidates in development, almost all of which were homegrown in our laboratories. Our medicines and pipeline are designed to help patients with eye diseases, allergic and inflammatory diseases, cancer, cardiovascular and metabolic diseases, pain, hematologic conditions, infectious diseases and rare diseases.
Regeneron is accelerating and improving the traditional drug development process through our proprietary VelociSuite technologies, such as VelocImmune, which uses unique genetically humanized mice to produce optimized fully human antibodies and bispecific antibodies, and through ambitious research initiatives such as the Regeneron Genetics Center®, which is conducting one of the largest genetics sequencing efforts in the world.
For more information, please visit www.Regeneron.com or follow @Regeneron on Twitter.
SOURCE: Regeneron Pharmaceuticals
Post Views: 100
Data demonstrate objective response rates from 56% to 63% across three independent cohorts of advanced melanoma patients – about double the rate historically seen with anti-PD-1 alone in similar settings – per trial results to be presented in an oral session at ASCO
Clinically meaningful responses observed in post hoc analyses of populations of interest, including patients with poor prognosis factors, prior anti-PD-1 therapy in the adjuvant setting and varying tumor PD-L1 expression levels
Pivotal Phase 3 trials in adjuvant and first-line advanced melanoma underway
TARRYTOWN, NY, USA I May 25, 2023 I Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ: REGN) today announced positive data from three independent cohorts evaluating an investigational combination of LAG-3 inhibitor fianlimab and PD-1 inhibitor Libtayo® (cemiplimab) in adults with advanced melanoma. The early clinical trial results, which demonstrated the combination led to clinically meaningful and durable results across multiple clinical settings, will be shared in an oral session at the 2023 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting in Chicago on Monday, June 5 at 3:00 PM CT.
“LAG-3 inhibitors are known to complement PD-1 inhibitors in the treatment of advanced melanoma. There exists an unmet need to further improve the benefit to patients, including those with liver metastases and other high-risk prognostic markers,” said Omid Hamid, M.D., Director, Clinical Research and Immunotherapy at The Angeles Clinic and Research Institute, and principal investigator of the trial. “These updated and independent expansion cohort results reinforce the potential of the fianlimab and cemiplimab (Libtayo) combination to deliver clinically meaningful and durable responses in diverse clinical settings and patient populations, with an acceptable safety profile. Particularly encouraging is that the clinical activity was observed in post hoc analyses of patient subgroups, including in patients with a poor prognosis or those who had been previously treated with an anti-PD-1 therapy in the adjuvant setting.”
The data to be presented at ASCO 2023 include findings from three independent expansion cohorts of adults with unresectable or metastatic melanoma who were all naïve to anti-PD-1 therapy for advanced disease (n=98). Additional follow up will be reported on an initial cohort of first- or second-line patients (n=40) and a confirmatory cohort of first-line patients (n=40), previously reported at ESMO 2022. New for this presentation is a cohort of patients who had received prior systemic treatment for melanoma in the neoadjuvant or adjuvant setting (n=18), including adjuvant anti-PD-1 therapy (n=13 of 18).
Tumor responses were based on RECIST 1.1 criteria and per investigator assessment. The median duration of response (DOR) was not reached in any cohort, and the objective response rate (ORR) by cohort was as follows:
- Initial cohort: 63% (25 of 40 patients), including 6 complete responses (CR) and 19 partial responses (PR).
- Confirmatory cohort: 63% (25 of 40 patients), including 5 CRs and 20 PRs.
- Prior neo/adjuvant systemic therapy cohort: 56% (10 of 18 patients). Among the 13 patients in this latest cohort who had prior anti-PD-1 adjuvant treatment, the ORR was 62% (8 of 13 patients), including 1 CR and 7 PRs.
In a post hoc analysis of the three combined cohorts, the ORR was 61% (60 of 98 patients), the median progression-free survival (PFS) was 15 months per Kaplan-Meier estimate (95% CI: 9–NE), and the median follow-up was 13 months (interquartile range 9-19). Additional post hoc analyses found clinically meaningful activity in multiple subgroups of interest, with ORRs in each as follows:
- Poor prognosis: 53% (17 of 32 patients) in cases with high baseline lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), 43% (9 of 21 patients) in cases of liver metastasis, and 35% (6 of 17 patients) in cases of M1c stage (visceral metastatic) disease and high baseline LDH.
- Varying tumor PD-L1 expression levels: 73% (19 of 26 patients) in cases of ≥1% PD-L1 expression and 56% (23 of 41 patients) in cases of <1% PD-L1 expression.
The safety profile of the fianlimab and Libtayo combination in these expansion cohorts appeared to be generally consistent with the safety profile of Libtayo monotherapy and other anti-PD-(L)1 agents, except for higher rates of adrenal insufficiency, which were ≤Grade 2 in the majority of cases (64%) and all cases were successfully managed with steroid replacement. Adverse events (AEs) occurred in 94% of patients, with 44% being ≥Grade 3 and 30% considered serious. AEs occurring in ≥10% of patients included rash (20%), pruritis (16%), diarrhea (15%), arthralgia (13%), hypothyroidism (12%), adrenal insufficiency (11%) and myalgia (10%). The treatment discontinuation rate due to AEs was 16%.
“Fianlimab in combination with Libtayo has now demonstrated robust response rates in three independent advanced melanoma cohorts – each with unique patient populations,” said Israel Lowy, M.D., Ph.D., Senior Vice President, Translational and Clinical Sciences, Oncology at Regeneron. “These positive results support the clinical potential of fianlimab in combination with Libtayo. We look forward to partnering with the oncology community to further investigate this combination in a broad pivotal clinical development program that includes Phase 3 trials in the advanced and adjuvant melanoma settings, alongside ongoing Phase 2/3 trials in non-small cell lung cancer and research in other solid tumors.”
Additional presentations on the fianlimab and Libtayo combination will be shared at ASCO during a poster session on Saturday, June 3 from 1:15 to 4:15 PM CT, including:
- A Phase 1 study of fianlimab (anti-LAG-3) in combination with cemiplimab (anti-PD-1) in patients with advanced melanoma: poor prognosis subgroup analysis (#9548)
- A Phase 3 trial of fianlimab (anti-LAG-3) plus cemiplimab (anti-PD-1) versus pembrolizumab in patients with previously untreated unresectable locally advanced or metastatic melanoma (#TPS9602)
- A Phase 3 trial comparing fianlimab (anti-LAG-3) plus cemiplimab (anti-PD-1) to pembrolizumab in patients with completely resected high-risk melanoma (#TPS9598)
The potential use of fianlimab and Libtayo described above is investigational, and safety and efficacy of this combination have not been evaluated by any regulatory authority.
About Regeneron’s Approach to Cancer Research
At Regeneron, we’re applying more than three decades of scientific innovation with the goal of developing paradigm-changing therapies for patients with cancer.
Our portfolio is built around two foundational approaches – our approved PD-1 inhibitor Libtayo and investigational bispecific antibodies – which are being evaluated both as monotherapies and in combination with emerging therapeutic modalities. Together, they provide us with unique combinatorial flexibility to develop potentially synergistic treatments for a wide range of solid tumors and blood cancers.
If you are interested in learning more about our clinical trials, please contact us (clinicaltrials@regeneron.com“>clinicaltrials@regeneron.com or 844-734-6643) or visit our clinical trials website.
About the Phase 1 Trial
The Phase 1 trial is a first-in-human, multi-cohort study investigating fianlimab in combination with Libtayo in patients with advanced melanoma. The primary endpoint is ORR per RECIST 1.1 criteria; secondary endpoints include PFS, DOR, disease control rate (DCR), safety and pharmacokinetics (PK).
In these three expansion cohorts, 98 patients were enrolled and received fianlimab 1600 mg and Libtayo 350 mg intravenously every 3 weeks for up to 51 weeks, with a median follow up of 12.6 months and median treatment duration of 32.9 weeks. Additional analyses from the Phase 1 trial are ongoing.
About fianlimab
Fianlimab is a fully human monoclonal antibody targeting the immune checkpoint receptor LAG-3 on T cells and was invented using Regeneron’s proprietary VelocImmune® technology. In melanoma, LAG-3 expression on cancer cells is associated with therapeutic resistance to PD-1 inhibitors. Fianlimab is being investigated in combination with Regeneron’s PD-1 inhibitor Libtayo to determine whether concurrent blockade of LAG-3 and PD-1 can help overcome this resistance and release the brakes on T cell activation.
About Libtayo
Libtayo is a fully human monoclonal antibody targeting the immune checkpoint receptor PD-1 on T cells and was invented using Regeneron’s proprietary VelocImmune® technology. By binding to PD-1, Libtayo has been shown to block cancer cells from using the PD-1 pathway to suppress T-cell activation. In the U.S. and other countries Libtayo is indicated in certain patients with advanced basal cell carcinoma (BCC), advanced cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (CSCC) and advanced NSCLC, as well as in advanced cervical cancer in the European Union, Canada and Brazil. As of July 1, 2022, Libtayo is developed and marketed globally by Regeneron.
In the U.S., the generic name for Libtayo in its approved indications is cemiplimab-rwlc, with rwlc as the suffix designated in accordance with Nonproprietary Naming of Biological Products Guidance for Industry issued by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Outside of the U.S., the generic name of Libtayo in its approved indication is cemiplimab.
The extensive clinical program for Libtayo is focused on difficult-to-treat cancers. Libtayo is currently being investigated in trials as a monotherapy, as well as in combination with either conventional or novel therapeutic approaches for other solid tumors and blood cancers. These potential uses are investigational, and their safety and efficacy have not been evaluated by any regulatory authority.
U.S. FDA-approved Indications
Libtayo is a prescription medicine used to treat:
- People with a type of skin cancer called cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (CSCC) that has spread or cannot be cured by surgery or radiation.
- People with a type of skin cancer called basal cell carcinoma (BCC) when your BCC cannot be removed by surgery (locally advanced BCC) or when it has spread (metastatic BCC) and have received treatment with a hedgehog pathway inhibitor (HHI), or cannot receive treatment with a HHI.
- Adults with a type of lung cancer called non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).
- LIBTAYO may be used in combination with chemotherapy that contains a platinum medicine as your first treatment when your lung cancer has not spread outside your chest (locally advanced lung cancer) and you cannot have surgery or chemotherapy with radiation, or your lung cancer has spread to other areas of your body (metastatic lung cancer), and your tumor does not have an abnormal “EGFR,” “ALK,” or “ROS1” gene.
- LIBTAYO may be used alone as your first treatment when your lung cancer has not spread outside your chest (locally advanced lung cancer) and you cannot have surgery or chemotherapy with radiation, or your lung cancer has spread to other areas of your body (metastatic lung cancer), and your tumor tests positive for high “PD-L1,” and your tumor does not have an abnormal “EGFR,” “ALK,” or “ROS1” gene.
Please see full Prescribing Information, including Medication Guide.
About Regeneron’s VelocImmune Technology
Regeneron’s VelocImmune technology utilizes a proprietary genetically engineered mouse platform endowed with a genetically humanized immune system to produce optimized fully human antibodies. When Regeneron’s co-Founder, President and Chief Scientific Officer George D. Yancopoulos was a graduate student with his mentor Frederick W. Alt in 1985, they were the first to envision making such a genetically humanized mouse, and Regeneron has spent decades inventing and developing VelocImmune and related VelociSuite® technologies. Dr. Yancopoulos and his team have used VelocImmune technology to create a substantial proportion of all original, FDA-approved or authorized fully human monoclonal antibodies. This includes REGEN-COV® (casirivimab and imdevimab), Dupixent® (dupilumab), Libtayo®, Praluent® (alirocumab), Kevzara® (sarilumab), Evkeeza® (evinacumab-dgnb) and Inmazeb® (atoltivimab, maftivimab and odesivimab-ebgn).
About Regeneron
Regeneron is a leading biotechnology company that invents, develops and commercializes life-transforming medicines for people with serious diseases. Founded and led for 35 years by physician-scientists, our unique ability to repeatedly and consistently translate science into medicine has led to nine FDA-approved treatments and numerous product candidates in development, almost all of which were homegrown in our laboratories. Our medicines and pipeline are designed to help patients with eye diseases, allergic and inflammatory diseases, cancer, cardiovascular and metabolic diseases, pain, hematologic conditions, infectious diseases and rare diseases.
Regeneron is accelerating and improving the traditional drug development process through our proprietary VelociSuite technologies, such as VelocImmune, which uses unique genetically humanized mice to produce optimized fully human antibodies and bispecific antibodies, and through ambitious research initiatives such as the Regeneron Genetics Center®, which is conducting one of the largest genetics sequencing efforts in the world.
For more information, please visit www.Regeneron.com or follow @Regeneron on Twitter.
SOURCE: Regeneron Pharmaceuticals
Post Views: 100
