On February 5, 2024 GSK plc (LSE/NYSE: GSK) reported results from an interim analysis of the DREAMM-7 phase III head-to-head trial evaluating Blenrep (belantamab mafodotin) combined with bortezomib plus dexamethasone (BorDex) versus daratumumab plus BorDex in second-line and later treatment of relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma (Press release, GlaxoSmithKline, FEB 5, 2024, View Source [SID1234639873]). These data will be presented at the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) (Free ASCO Whitepaper) Plenary Series on 6 February 2024.

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In the primary endpoint of progression-free survival (PFS), a statistically significant and clinically meaningful improvement was observed with the belantamab mafodotin combination (n=243), showing a 59% reduction in the risk of disease progression or death (hazard ratio [HR]: 0.41 [95% confidence interval (CI): 0.31-0.53], p-value<0.00001) compared to the daratumumab combination (n=251). With a median follow-up of 28.2 months, the median PFS was 36.6 months (95% CI: 28.4-not reached [NR]) with the belantamab mafodotin combination compared to 13.4 months (11.1-17.5) in the daratumumab combination. The PFS effect was observed across all prespecified subgroups, including those who were refractory to lenalidomide and those with high-risk cytogenetics. The safety and tolerability profile of the belantamab mafodotin combination was consistent with the known profile of the individual agents.

Hesham Abdullah, Senior Vice President, Global Head Oncology, R&D, GSK, said: "The substantial progression-free survival benefit and strong overall survival trend compared to a daratumumab standard of care combination reinforce our belief in the potential for belantamab mafodotin used in combination to redefine the treatment of multiple myeloma at or after first relapse. We plan on sharing these results with health authorities worldwide."

The belantamab mafodotin combination also resulted in clinically meaningful improvements in all secondary efficacy endpoints including a doubling of complete response rate (stringent complete response plus complete response), minimal residual disease (MRD) negativity rate and median duration of response (DOR). A strong and clinically meaningful overall survival (OS) trend was observed at the interim analysis, with a 43% reduction in the risk of death (HR: 0.57 [95% CI: 0.40-0.80], p-value=0.00049), which has not yet reached the interim criteria for statistical significance of OS. OS follow-up continues and further analyses are planned.

María-Victoria Mateos, MD, PhD, Head of Myeloma and Clinical Trials Unit, Haematology Department and Professor of Medicine at the University of Salamanca, Spain, and DREAMM-7 principal investigator, said: "These results from DREAMM-7 show how belantamab mafodotin in combination with BorDex represents a significant improvement over the daratumumab-based regimen in a second-line multiple myeloma treatment setting. Anti-BCMA therapies are helping to improve outcomes for patients with multiple myeloma, and having an off-the-shelf option, like belantamab mafodotin, that can be administered in a community oncology treatment centre where the majority of patients are treated has the potential to transform the way we treat myeloma at or after first relapse."

Key secondary endpoint summaries are listed below.

Key Secondary Endpoints
Endpoint belantamab mafodotin + BorDex
(n=243) daratumumab + BorDex
(n=251)
OOR (overall response rate) (95% CI) 82.7% (77.4-87.3) 71.3% (65.3-76.8)
sCR (stringent complete response) 14.0% 5.2%
CR (complete response) 20.6% 12.0%
Very good partial response 31.3% 29.1%
Partial response 16.9% 25.1%
MRD negativity rate*
(95% CI)
P-value 24.7 (19.4, 30.6) 9.6 (6.2, 13.9)
p<0.00001#
Median DOR (95% CI)** 35.6 months (30.5-NR) 17.8 months (13.8-23.6)
Overall survival
HR (95% CI)
P-value*** 0.57 (0.40-0.80)
p=0.00049***
* Measured in patients with a sCR or CR.

** An Intent-to-treat restricted mean DOR (RMDoR) analysis comparing DOR between arms showed a statistically significant benefit in favour of the belantamab mafodotin combination (p < 0.00001).

*** Has not yet reached criteria for statistical significance (p ≤ 0.00037) of OS at this interim. Follow-up for OS is ongoing.

#Nominal p-value

Grade 3 or higher non-ocular adverse events of clinical interest in the belantamab mafodotin combination and daratumumab combination arms, respectively, included thrombocytopenia (55% and 35%; exposure-adjusted event rate: 40 and 29, per 100 person-years), neutropenia (12% and 6%), pneumonia (12% and 4%; exposure-adjusted event rate: 8 and 3, per 100 person-years), and anaemia (8% and 10%).

Eye-related side effects, a known risk of treatment with belantamab mafodotin, were generally reversible, manageable with dose modification, and led to low (9%) treatment discontinuations. Grade 3 or higher ocular adverse events occurred in 34% of patients receiving the belantamab mafodotin combination and primarily included blurred vision (22%), dry eye (7%), eye irritation (5%), and visual impairment (5%). Eighty-two patients (34%) with a best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) score of 20/25 or better in at least one eye at baseline had a worsening in both eyes to 20/50 or worse. Almost all these patients’ events (98%) had resolved at the time of this analysis. The median time to resolution was 22 days.

Global health status quality of life (QOL) as measured by the EORTC-QLQ-C30 indicated no difference in global QOL between different treatment arms over time.

The DREAMM (DRiving Excellence in Approaches to Multiple Myeloma) clinical development programme continues to evaluate the potential of belantamab mafodotin in early lines of treatment and in combination with novel therapies and standard of care treatments. This includes the ongoing phase III DREAMM-8 trial evaluating belantamab mafodotin in combination with pomalidomide and dexamethasone versus bortezomib in combination with pomalidomide and dexamethasone. DREAMM-8 data are expected in the second half of 2024.

About DREAMM-7
The DREAMM-7 phase III clinical trial is a multicentre, open-label, randomised trial evaluating the efficacy and safety of belantamab mafodotin in combination with bortezomib and dexamethasone (BorDex) compared to a combination of daratumumab and BorDex in patients with relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma who previously were treated with at least one prior line of multiple myeloma therapy, with documented disease progression during or after their most recent therapy.

A total of 494 participants were randomised at a 1:1 ratio to receive either belantamab mafodotin in combination with BorDex or a combination of daratumumab and BorDex. Belantamab mafodotin was scheduled to be dosed at 2.5mg/kg intravenously every three weeks.

The primary endpoint is PFS as per an independent review committee. The key secondary endpoints include OS, DOR, and MRD negativity rate as assessed by next-generation sequencing.

About multiple myeloma
Multiple myeloma is the third most common blood cancer globally and is generally considered treatable but not curable.1,2 There are approximately 176,000 new cases of multiple myeloma diagnosed globally each year.3 Research into new therapies is needed as multiple myeloma commonly becomes refractory to available treatments.4

About Blenrep
Blenrep is an antibody-drug conjugate comprising a humanised B-cell maturation antigen monoclonal antibody conjugated to the cytotoxic agent auristatin F via a non-cleavable linker. The drug linker technology is licensed from Seagen Inc.; the monoclonal antibody is produced using POTELLIGENT Technology licensed from BioWa Inc., a member of the Kyowa Kirin Group.

Refer to the Blenrep EMA Reference Information (View Source) for a full list of adverse events and the complete important safety information in the EU.

On February 5, 2024 Immunome, Inc. (Nasdaq: IMNM), a biotechnology company focused on developing first-in-class and best-in-class targeted cancer therapies, reported that members of Immunome management will present at the Guggenheim Healthcare Talks 6th Annual Biotechnology Conference on Thursday, February 8 at 9:30 a.m. ET (Press release, Immunome, FEB 5, 2024, View Source [SID1234639856]).

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Interested parties can access the live audio webcast for this conference from the Investor Relations section of the company’s website at www.immunome.com. The webcast replay will be available after the conclusion of the live presentation for approximately 30 days.

On February 5, 2024 Natera, Inc. (NASDAQ: NTRA), a global leader in cell-free DNA testing, reported a new study published in Gynecologic Oncology validating its personalized and tumor-informed molecular residual disease (MRD) test, Signatera, in endometrial cancer (Press release, Natera, FEB 5, 2024, View Source [SID1234639855]). The full study can be found here.

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Endometrial cancer (EC) is the most common gynecologic malignancy in the United States. Disease incidence has been rising, but mortality has been rising even faster, potentially due to a higher frequency of aggressive high-risk subtypes of the disease.1-4 More accurate risk stratification is needed to identify those patients who will benefit from therapeutic interventions with curative intent. Current guidelines rely on clinicopathological risk factors to define risk groups and aid in adjuvant treatment decision-making.5,6 However, the decision to administer adjuvant therapy for patients with high-risk and high-intermediate-risk EC remains unclear, creating the need for better diagnostic tools to help determine who is most likely to benefit from treatment.7-10

This real-world study analyzed 267 plasma samples drawn after surgery from 101 patients with EC. The patient cohort was composed of multiple histological subtypes, with patients stratified based on clinicopathological risk factors into high-risk (52%), high-intermediate (22%), low-risk (15%), and other (12%). Key findings include:

Patients who tested Signatera MRD-positive at either a single time point or longitudinally experienced significantly higher rates of recurrence than those who remained Signatera-negative (58% and 52%, vs. 6% and 0%, respectively), regardless of mismatch repair (MMR) or p53 status.
Signatera MRD status was the only significant risk factor for recurrence when adjusted for clinicopathological risk groups and molecular subgroups such as MMR and p53 status (HR=18.9, p=.001).
"This study provides clinical validation of Signatera as a powerful post-surgical biomarker of recurrence risk for patients with endometrial cancer," said Minetta Liu, MD, chief medical officer of oncology at Natera. "Use of Signatera in clinical workflows may help physicians and patients tailor their adjuvant treatment decisions based on direct evidence of molecular residual disease."

About Signatera

Signatera is a personalized, tumor-informed, molecular residual disease test for patients previously diagnosed with cancer. Custom-built for each individual, Signatera uses circulating tumor DNA to detect and quantify cancer left in the body, identify recurrence earlier than standard of care tools, and help optimize treatment decisions. The test is available for clinical and research use and is covered by Medicare for patients with colorectal cancer, breast cancer (stage IIb and higher) and muscle invasive bladder cancer, as well as for immunotherapy monitoring of any solid tumor. Signatera has been clinically validated across multiple cancer types and indications, with published evidence in more than 60 peer-reviewed papers.

On February 5, 2024 Adicet Bio, Inc. (Nasdaq: ACET), a clinical stage biotechnology company discovering and developing allogeneic gamma delta T cell therapies for autoimmune diseases and cancer, reported that Chen Schor, President and Chief Executive Officer, will participate in a fireside chat at the Guggenheim Healthcare Talks 6th Annual Biotechnology Conference being held from February 7-8, 2024 in New York (Press release, Adicet Bio, FEB 5, 2024, View Source [SID1234639853]).

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Details of the event are as follows:

Date: Thursday, February 8, 2024
Time: 3:00 p.m. ET

The live audio webcast of the presentation can be accessed on the Investors section of Adicet Bio’s website at View Source An archived replay will be available for 30 days following the presentation.

On February 5, 2024 Incyte (Nasdaq:INCY) reported that it has entered into an asset purchase agreement with MorphoSys AG (FSE: MOR; NASDAQ: MOR) which gives Incyte exclusive global rights for tafasitamab, a humanized Fc-modified CD19-targeting immunotherapy marketed in the U.S. as Monjuvi (tafasitamab-cxix) and outside of the U.S. as Minjuvi (tafasitamab) (Press release, Incyte, FEB 5, 2024, View Source [SID1234639852]).

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"This new agreement with MorphoSys provides Incyte with exclusive global rights to tafasitamab and full control over its development and commercialization, allowing us to realize significant operating efficiencies and cost synergies," said Hervé Hoppenot, Chief Executive Officer, Incyte.

In the previous agreement, MorphoSys and Incyte were collaborating and sharing costs for the clinical development and commercialization of tafasitamab in the U.S.; Incyte had exclusive rights outside of the U.S. Under the terms of the new agreement, MorphoSys will receive a payment of $25 million from Incyte and Incyte will gain global development and commercialization rights for tafasitamab. Incyte will now recognize revenue and cost for all U.S. commercialization and clinical development and MorphoSys will no longer be eligible to receive future milestone, profit split and royalty payments. The agreement is effective immediately.

In addition to its approved indication, tafasitamab is being evaluated as a therapeutic option in ongoing pivotal trials for first-line DLBCL, relapsed or refractory follicular lymphoma (FL) and relapsed or refractory marginal zone lymphoma (MZL).

About Tafasitamab
Tafasitamab is a humanized Fc-modified CD19-targeting immunotherapy. In 2010, MorphoSys licensed exclusive worldwide rights to develop and commercialize tafasitamab from Xencor, Inc. Tafasitamab incorporates an XmAb engineered Fc domain, which mediates B-cell lysis through apoptosis and immune effector mechanism including Antibody-Dependent Cell-Mediated Cytotoxicity (ADCC) and Antibody-Dependent Cellular Phagocytosis (ADCP).

In the United States, Monjuvi (tafasitamab-cxix) is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in combination with lenalidomide for the treatment of adult patients with relapsed or refractory DLBCL not otherwise specified, including DLBCL arising from low grade lymphoma, and who are not eligible for autologous stem cell transplant (ASCT). This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on overall response rate. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in a confirmatory trial(s). Please see the U.S. full Prescribing Information for Monjuvi for important safety information.

In Europe, Minjuvi (tafasitamab) received conditional marketing authorization in combination with lenalidomide, followed by Minjuvi monotherapy, for the treatment of adult patients with relapsed or refractory diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) who are not eligible for autologous stem cell transplant (ASCT).

Tafasitamab is being clinically investigated as a therapeutic option in B-cell malignancies in several ongoing combination trials. Its safety and efficacy for these investigational uses have not been established in pivotal trials.

Monjuvi and Minjuvi are registered trademarks of Incyte. Tafasitamab is marketed by under the brand name Monjuvi in the U.S., and under the brand name Minjuvi in the EU and Canada.

XmAb is a registered trademark of Xencor, Inc.