On June 26, 2022 Antengene Corporation Limited ("Antengene" SEHK: 6996.HK), a leading innovative, commercial-stage global biopharmaceutical company dedicated to discovering, developing and commercializing first-in-class and/or best-in-class therapeutics in hematology and oncology, reported that it has entered into a clinical trial collaboration with BeiGene to evaluate the safety, pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics and preliminary efficacy of selinexor in combination with BeiGene’s anti-PD-1 checkpoint inhibitor, tislelizumab (Press release, Antengene, JUN 26, 2022, View Source [SID1234616256]). This multi-center, open-label Phase I/II trial will evaluate the investigational combination as a potential treatment option for patients with T and NK-cell lymphoma.

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"We are delighted to partner with BeiGene, a company that strives for innovation and excellence, and is committed to developing best-in-class or first-in-class anti-cancer therapies for patients across the globe. These qualities are very similar to those of our vision at Antengene," said Dr. Jay Mei, Antengene’s Founder, Chairman and CEO. "We look forward to advancing the combination of selinexor and tislelizumab to clinical development. With good data we will be able to bring this treatment regimen to patients with T and NK-cell lymphoma, diseases that are endemic in Asia but underserved by current therapies."

"At Antengene, we believe that the combinational use of immuno-oncology drugs and Selective Inhibitor of Nuclear Export (SINE) compounds possesses huge potential as novel treatment regimens for cancer patients," said Dr. Kevin Lynch, Antengene’s Chief Medical Officer. "The mechanism of action of selinexor in inhibiting the nuclear export protein XPO1 facilitates the intranuclear accumulation of tumor suppressors, making it a good partner in multiple combination treatment regimens. Preclinical research we conducted demonstrated that selinexor combined with a checkpoint inhibitor increased anti-tumor activity in multiple tumor models. In addition, deep and durable responses were also seen in multiple case reports of patients with T and NK-cell lymphoma treated with selinexor in combination with an anti-PD-1 checkpoint inhibitor. We hope to confirm that selinexor can synergize with tislelizumab to deliver an effective treatment regimen and help address the huge unmet medical needs in T and NK-cell lymphoma in the Asia Pacific regions and around the world." continued Dr. Lynch.

Tislelizumab is a PD-1 inhibitor designed to help aid the body’s immune cells to detect and fight tumors. Tislelizumab, a humanized monoclonal antibody, is specifically designed to minimize binding to FcγR on macrophages. In pre-clinical studies, binding to FcγR on macrophages has been shown to compromise the anti-tumor activity of PD-1 antibodies through activation of antibody-dependent macrophage-mediated killing of T effector cells.

About T and NK-Cell Lymphoma

T and NK-cell lymphoma is a set of heterogeneous diseases, accounting for 25-30% of Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma (NHL) cases in China and only about 10% in USA and Europe. There has been little improvement in the past decade when compared to B-cell Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma (B-NHL) as 5-year overall survival rate was only 30% in most common subtypes[1]. The unmet medical needs remain as agents with new mechanism of action to be explored and possibility to improve the treatment paradigm for the disease.

About the SINE Compounds

Selective Inhibitor of Nuclear Export (SINE) compounds are inhibitors of the major nuclear export protein Exportin 1 (XPO1). Currently, there are three oral SINE compounds, ATG-010 (selinexor), ATG-016 (eltanexor), and ATG-527 (verdinexor), under clinical development. Antengene has obtained exclusive development and commercialisation rights from Karyopharm Therapeutics Inc. (Nasdaq: KPTI) to these three compounds in certain APAC markets.

About XPOVIO (Selinexor)

XPOVIO is the world’s first approved orally-available, selective inhibitor of the nuclear export protein XPO1. It offers a novel mechanism of action, synergistic effects in combination regimens, fast onset of action, and durable responses.

By blocking the nuclear export protein XPO1, XPOVIO can promote the intranuclear accumulation and activation of tumor suppressor proteins and growth regulating proteins, and down-regulate the levels of multiple oncogenic proteins. XPOVIO delivers its antitumor effects through three mechanistic pathways: 1) exerting antitumor effects by inducing the intranuclear accumulation of tumor suppressor proteins; 2) reducing the level of oncogenic proteins in the cytoplasm by inducing the intranuclear accumulation of oncogenic mRNAs; and 3) restoring hormone sensitivity by activating the glucocorticoid receptors (GR) pathway. To utilize its unique mechanism of actions, XPOVIO is being evaluated for use in multiple combination regimens in a range of indications. At present, Antengene is conducting 10 clinical studies of XPOVIO in mainland China for the treatment of relapsed/refractory hematologic malignancies and solid tumors (3 of these studies are being jointly conducted by Antengene and Karyopharm Therapeutics Inc. [Nasdaq:KPTI]).

XPOVIO is approved in South Korea for two indications:

In combination with dexamethasone for the treatment of adult patients with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma (R/R MM) who have received at least four prior therapies and whose disease is refractory to at least two proteasome inhibitors, at least two immunomodulatory agents, and an anti-CD38 monoclonal antibody.
As a monotherapy for the treatment of adult patients with relapsed or refractory diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (R/R DLBCL), not otherwise specified, including DLBCL arising from follicular lymphoma, after at least 2 lines of systemic therapy.
XPOVIO is approved in mainland China for one indication:

In combination with dexamethasone for the treatment of adult patients with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma (R/R MM) who have received prior therapies and whose disease is refractory to at least one proteasome inhibitor, at least one immunomodulatory agent, and an anti-CD38 monoclonal antibody.
XPOVIO is approved in Australia for two indications:

In combination with bortezomib and dexamethasone (XVd) for the treatment of adult patients with multiple myeloma (MM) who have received at least one prior therapy.
In combination with dexamethasone (Xd) for the treatment of adult patients with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma (R/R MM) who have received at least three prior therapies and whose disease is refractory to at least one proteasome inhibitor (PI), at least one immunomodulatory agent (IMiD), and an anti-CD38 monoclonal antibody (mAb).
XPOVIO is approved in Singapore for three indications:

In combination with bortezomib and dexamethasone for treatment of adult patients with multiple myeloma (MM) who have received at least one prior therapy.
In combination with dexamethasone for the treatment of adult patients with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma (R/R MM) who have received at least four prior therapies and whose disease is refractory to at least two proteasome inhibitors, at least two immunomodulatory agents, and an anti-CD38 monoclonal antibody.
As a monotherapy for the treatment of adult patients with relapsed or refractory diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (R/R DLBCL), not otherwise specified, including DLBCL arising from follicular lymphoma, after at least 2 lines of systemic therapy who are not eligible for haematopoietic cell transplant.