On November 5, 2019 BioLineRx Ltd. (NASDAQ/TASE: BLRX), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on oncology, reported positive preclinical results further elucidating the mechanism of action of BL-8040 in combination with an anti PD-1 and chemotherapy (Press release, BioLineRx, NOV 5, 2019, View Source [SID1234550288]). The results, summarized in a poster entitled, "Combination of BL-8040, anti PD-1 and chemotherapy significantly reduced pancreatic tumor growth and changed the balance between CD4+/FOXP3+ cells and CD8+ cells in the tumor," will be presented on November 8, 2019 at the Society for Immunotherapy of Cancer (SITC) (Free SITC Whitepaper) 34th Annual Meeting in National Harbor, Maryland.
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"The results seen in this preclinical pancreatic cancer study support our hypothesis that the triple combination of BL-8040, anti-PD-1 and chemotherapy helps combat this difficult to treat cancer," said Philip Serlin, Chief Executive Officer of BioLineRx. "These preclinical data from the triple combination study support the mechanism of action of BL-8040 demonstrated in earlier clinical data from the dual combination of BL-8040 and pembrolizumab, showing a reduction in immuno-suppressive cells, accompanied by an increase in activated effector CD8+ T cells. We believe the ability of BL-8040 to modulate the tumor microenvironment allows for better activation of immune effector cells when combined with chemotherapy and immunotherapy. We are very hopeful that this anti-tumor activity will be confirmed in humans as we eagerly await results from the triple combination arm of our COMBAT/KEYNOTE-202 Phase 2 study of BL-8040, KEYTRUDA and chemotherapy in metastatic pancreatic cancer, which we expect to report by year end."
About the Pre-Clinical Study
The pre-clinical study assessed the effects of BL-8040, anti-PD-1 and chemotherapy (Irinotecan, Fluorouracil and Leucovorin), both alone and in various combinations, on tumor growth and immune cell constitution in a mouse model for pancreatic cancer.
Key findings include:
•The triple combination of BL-8040+anti-PD-1+chemotherapy had a significantly better effect on tumor growth compared to chemotherapy alone or any dual combination with chemotherapy.
The triple combination of BL-8040+anti-PD-1+chemotherapy showed the best effect in modulation of the tumor microenvironment, resulting in reduction in immunosuppressive cells, and accompanied by increase of activated T effector cells.
About BL-8040
BL-8040 is a short synthetic peptide that functions as a high-affinity best-in-class antagonist for CXCR4, a chemokine receptor over-expressed in many human cancers. CXCR4 has been shown to be correlated with poor prognosis, and plays a key role in tumor growth, invasion, angiogenesis, metastasis and therapeutic resistance. CXCR4 is also directly involved in the homing and retention of hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) and various hematological malignant cells in the bone marrow.
In a number of clinical and preclinical studies, BL-8040 has shown a critical role in immune cell trafficking, tumor infiltration by immune effector T cells and reduction in immunosuppressive cells within the tumor niche, turning "cold" tumors, such as pancreatic cancer, into "hot" tumors (i.e., sensitizing them to immune check point inhibitors). BL-8040-mediated inhibition of the CXCR4-CXCL12 (SDF-1) axis has also shown robust mobilization of HSCs for transplantation in hematological malignancies.
BL-8040 was licensed by BioLineRx from Biokine Therapeutics and was previously developed under the name BKT-140.