On November 6, 2023 Compugen Ltd. (Nasdaq: CGEN) (TASE:CGEN) a clinical-stage cancer immunotherapy company and a pioneer in computational target discovery, reported data presented at the Annual Meeting of the Society for Immunotherapy of Cancer (SITC) (Free SITC Whitepaper), held on November 1-5, 2023 (Press release, Compugen, NOV 6, 2023, View Source [SID1234637017]). The results reinforce previous data suggesting COM701 mediated anti-tumor activity in patients typically not responding to immunotherapy. For the first time, initial data showing the association between baseline PVRL2 levels and clinical benefit was presented, suggesting the potential of PVRL2 as a predictive biomarker for clinical benefit in certain indications helping to inform future direction of studies with a biomarker driven strategy.
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"We were delighted to present at SITC (Free SITC Whitepaper) clinical data which reinforces data previously presented, suggesting that COM701 mediated anti-tumor activity in patients typically not responding to immunotherapy", said Anat Cohen-Dayag, Ph.D., President, and CEO of Compugen. "The clinical benefit shown in patients with platinum resistant ovarian cancer was associated with infiltration of T cells into the tumor microenvironment and independent of baseline inflammatory status, suggesting a COM701 mediated mechanism of action. In addition, we presented data in metastatic breast cancer, another indication in which patients who typically do not respond to immunotherapy, derived clinical benefit from COM701 combinations."
Dr. Cohen-Dayag added, "We are also excited with the progress we have made on the predictive biomarker front, consistent with our deep understanding of the biology of PVRIG. At SITC (Free SITC Whitepaper), we presented for the first time initial data suggesting an association between baseline levels of the ligand for PVRIG, PVRL2, and clinical benefit, suggesting PVRL2 may be a predictive biomarker to help enrich for patients who may derive clinical benefit from our COM701 combinations. We are continuing to assess this association in our ongoing proof-of-concept study in platinum resistant ovarian cancer in which biopsies are mandatory. Acknowledging the competitive evolving platinum resistant ovarian cancer treatment landscape, we believe a biomarker that would help to enrich for patients who could derive clinical benefit, and together with durable responses and safety profile of our triplet combination, could support us in building a unique development path of our triplet regimen in these patients."
Stephanie Gaillard, M.D., Ph.D. Johns Hopkins Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Baltimore, and first author of the study added, "Durable partial responses lasting more than 16 months is clinically meaningful in patients with high grade epithelial platinum resistant ovarian cancer. While the numbers are small, typical median duration of response is 3-4 months with standard chemotherapy and 6.9 months reported in patients treated with the recently approved antibody drug conjugate. What is also notable is the favorable safety profile of this triple blockade of PVRIG, TIGIT and PD-1. I look forward to the results of the ongoing proof-of-concept study evaluating the combination of COM701, COM902 and pembrolizumab in platinum resistant ovarian cancer patients."
Ecaterina Dumbrava, M.D., The University of Texas MD, Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, and first author of the study continued, "Following treatment with COM701 in combination with nivolumab, it is encouraging to see a complete response of greater than 21 months and a partial response of 10 months in patients with metastatic breast cancer, which is notoriously difficult to treat. Both patients had low PD-L1 expression and low tumor mutation burden at baseline. The patient who responded for 21 months and remains on treatment at the time of data cut off is HER 2 negative, a tumor which is considered as immune cold. The patient who responded for 10 months had a triple negative breast cancer, which is the fastest growing and most aggressive kind of breast cancer. It is also notable that the combination has favorable safety and tolerability profile. These data warrant further investigation of this combination with the addition of the anti-TIGIT, COM902, in tumors not typically responding to immunotherapy to address a significant unmet medical need."
Poster presentation details:
The posters are available on the publication section of Compugen’s website.
Title: Immune modulation and baseline biomarker correlation with clinical benefit following treatment with COM701 + nivolumab +/- BMS-986207 in patients with platinum resistant ovarian cancer
First Author: Gady Cojocaru
Title: The combination of COM701 + nivolumab demonstrates preliminary antitumor activity in patients with metastatic breast cancer
First Author: Ecaterina Dumbrava
Title: Durable responses with triple blockade of the DNAM-1 axis with COM701 + BMS-986207 + nivolumab in patients with platinum resistant ovarian cancer
First Author: Stephanie Gaillard
The data will be discussed during the Compugen’s Q3 conference call tomorrow November 7, 2023 at 8:30AM ET. To access the live conference call by telephone, please dial 1-866-744-5399 from the U.S., or +972-3-918-0644 internationally. The call will be available via live webcast through Compugen’s website, located at the following link.
Following the live webcast, a replay will be available on the Company’s website.