On September 9, 2015 Aduro Biotech, Inc. (Nasdaq:ADRO) reported that it has entered into a clinical trial agreement with Incyte Corporation (Nasdaq:INCY) to evaluate the safety, tolerability and preliminary efficacy of Aduro’s lead LADD immunotherapy, CRS-207, in combination with Incyte’s oral indoleamine dioxygenase 1 (IDO1) inhibitor, epacadostat (INCB24360), in patients with ovarian cancer (Press release, Aduro BioTech, SEP 9, 2015, View Source;p=RssLanding&cat=news&id=2086398 [SID:1234507459]).
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The combination of both investigational immunotherapeutic agents, which have different but complementary mechanisms directed at enhancing the body’s own immune defenses, may provide unique synergies in fighting cancer. Incyte’s epacadostat has been shown in vitro and in preclinical tumor models to enhance activities of multiple types of immune cells by reducing the immune suppression characteristic of the tumor microenvironment. Aduro’s CRS-207 has been shown to stimulate immune cell activity, with particular targeting mechanisms that seek and attack tumor cells that express mesothelin like those found in ovarian cancer.
"There’s a growing body of evidence and enthusiasm in the field of oncology to combine therapeutic agents with different mechanisms that may result in very powerful approaches to treating tough cancers," said Stephen T. Isaacs, chairman, president and chief executive officer of Aduro. "Incyte is a leader in the field of cancer immunotherapy and we’re pleased to join forces with them to study a novel approach to treating ovarian cancer."
Rich Levy, M.D., chief drug development officer of Incyte added, "This clinical trial collaboration with Aduro is an important opportunity to further investigate the therapeutic value of epacadostat in advanced ovarian cancer. Research partnerships like this one help us deliver on our goal of advancing innovative science to improve patients’ lives."
The Phase 1/2 trial, which is being funded equally between the two companies, is designed to test combinations of CRS-207 with two dose levels of epacadostat in dose escalation and then will expand to a Phase 2 evaluating the combination at the optimal dose level compared to CRS-207 alone based on safety and tumor biomarkers. The study plans to enroll up to 40 patients in Phase 1 and up to 86 patients in Phase 2 with platinum-resistant ovarian, fallopian or peritoneal cancers. The trial is expected to begin enrolling patients in early 2016.
Under the terms of the collaboration, Aduro and Incyte will collaborate on a non-exclusive basis to evaluate the combination. Aduro will be responsible for conducting the study and the results will be used to determine whether further clinical development of this combination is warranted.
About Epacadostat
Indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase 1 (IDO1) is an immunosuppressive enzyme that has been shown to induce regulatory T cell generation and activation, and allow tumors to escape immune surveillance. Epacadostat is an orally bioavailable small molecule inhibitor of IDO1 that has nanomolar potency in both biochemical and cellular assays and has demonstrated potent activity in enhancing T lymphocyte, dendritic cell and natural killer cell responses in vitro, with a high degree of selectivity. Epacadostat has shown proof-of-concept clinical data in patients with unresectable or metastatic melanoma in combination with the CTLA-4 inhibitor ipilimumab, and is currently in four proof-of-concept clinical trials with PD-1 and PD-L1 immune checkpoint inhibitors in a variety of cancer types.
About CRS-207
CRS-207 is one of a family of product candidates based on Aduro’s live-attenuated, double-deleted (LADD) Listeria monocytogenes immuno-oncology platform that are designed to induce potent innate and adaptive immune responses. CRS-207 has been engineered to express the tumor-associated antigen mesothelin, which is over-expressed in many cancers including mesothelioma and pancreatic, non-small cell lung, ovarian and gastric cancers.