On May 26, 2022 Surface Oncology (Nasdaq: SURF), a clinical-stage immuno-oncology company developing next-generation immunotherapies that target the tumor microenvironment, reported the presentation of new clinical data on SRF388, a potential first-in-class IL-27 antibody (Press release, Surface Oncology, MAY 26, 2022, View Source [SID1234615157]). Data from the Phase 1/1b clinical trial of SRF388 as a monotherapy and in combination with pembrolizumab, Merck’s anti-PD-1 therapy, will be presented in an oral abstract session at the 2022 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) (Free ASCO Whitepaper) Annual Meeting.
Schedule your 30 min Free 1stOncology Demo!
Discover why more than 1,500 members use 1stOncology™ to excel in:
Early/Late Stage Pipeline Development - Target Scouting - Clinical Biomarkers - Indication Selection & Expansion - BD&L Contacts - Conference Reports - Combinatorial Drug Settings - Companion Diagnostics - Drug Repositioning - First-in-class Analysis - Competitive Analysis - Deals & Licensing
Schedule Your 30 min Free Demo!
"In the ongoing SRF388 Phase 1 trial, we observed three confirmed partial responses across three different indications with multiple other patients experiencing durable clinical benefit in the form of disease stabilization," said Alison O’Neill, M.D., chief medical officer at Surface Oncology. "While still early, these findings are compelling and support our view that SRF388 holds exciting potential in the treatment of a variety of tumor types, particularly in combination with other immuno-oncology therapies."
"SRF388 is a potential first-in-class cytokine antagonist with a unique mechanism of anti-tumor activity that is showing encouraging early efficacy with a favorable safety and tolerability profile even in heavily pre-treated patients," added Aung Naing, M.D., professor of Investigational Cancer Therapeutics at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. "The biology of the pathway, strong preclinical data, and tolerability of SRF388 support the potential for IL-27 blockade to complement PD-1 inhibition and other standard-of-care therapies across a range of cancers."
SRF388 Data Highlights:
Confirmed partial responses (PR) were observed in two patients who received SRF388 monotherapy treatment: one in non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) (previously reported) and one in clear cell renal cell carcinoma (RCC). In addition, a PR was observed in a patient who was treated with SRF388 in combination with pembrolizumab for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The patient with HCC was refractory to two prior VEGFR TKIs, while the patients with NSCLC and RCC had both progressed on prior anti-PD-(L)1 therapy.
SRF388 was well tolerated at all doses investigated (up to 20 mg/kg), with no dose-limiting toxicity or high-grade safety signals observed.
Encouraging pharmacodynamic data demonstrated that, after SRF388 administration, circulating IFNg increased —an on-target mechanism of action indicating increased immune activation.
Based on these efficacy data, the criteria for opening Stage 2 of the RCC monotherapy cohort was met. SRF388 is also being evaluated in NSCLC as a monotherapy and in combination with pembrolizumab, as well as in triplet therapy with atezolizumab and bevacizumab in first-line HCC.
SRF388 Clinical Program Updates:
Surface will initiate a new Simon two-stage expansion study of SRF388 in combination with pembrolizumab in up to 40 patients with relapsed/refractory NSCLC.
Data from multiple SRF388 cohorts, including in NSCLC and first-line HCC, are anticipated in the first half of 2023.
ASCO Presentation Details:
Title: First-in-human study of SRF388, a first-in-class IL-27 targeting antibody, as monotherapy and in combination with pembrolizumab in patients with advanced solid tumors
Abstract: 2501
Session Type/Title: Oral abstract session / Developmental Therapeutics – Immunotherapy
Session Date and Time: Saturday, June 4, 2022, 1:15 p.m. – 4:15 p.m. CDT
Slides from the ASCO (Free ASCO Whitepaper) presentation will be posted on the Surface Oncology website following the conclusion of the session.
About SRF388
SRF388 is a fully human anti-IL-27 antibody designed to inhibit the activity of this immunosuppressive cytokine. Surface Oncology has identified particular tumor types, including liver, kidney and lung cancer, where IL-27 appears to play an important role in the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment and may contribute to resistance to treatment with checkpoint inhibitors. SRF388 targets the rate-limiting p28 subunit of IL-27, and preclinical studies have shown that treatment with SRF388 blocks the immunosuppressive biologic effects of IL-27, resulting in immune cell activation in combination with other cancer therapies including anti-PD-1 therapy, as well as potent anti-tumor effects as a monotherapy. Furthermore, Surface Oncology has identified a potential biomarker associated with IL-27 that may be useful in helping to identify patients most likely to respond to SRF388. In November 2020, Surface announced that SRF388 was granted Orphan Drug designation and Fast Track designation for the treatment of refractory hepatocellular carcinoma from the FDA.