On December 7, 2024 C4 Therapeutics, Inc. (C4T) (Nasdaq: CCCC), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company dedicated to advancing targeted protein degradation science, reported clinical data from the ongoing Phase 1 trial of cemsidomide, an orally bioavailable small molecule degrader of IKZF1/3, at the ASH (Free ASH Whitepaper) Annual Meeting (Press release, C4 Therapeutics, DEC 8, 2024, View Source [SID1234648865]). Presentations included a poster highlighting results for cemsidomide in combination with dexamethasone in multiple myeloma, and an oral presentation delivering initial results for cemsidomide as a monotherapy for non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. These presentations reinforce the potential of cemsidomide to become a backbone therapy of choice in both multiple myeloma and non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma where IKZF1/3 degradation is warranted.
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C4T designed cemsidomide to be a more potent and selective degrader of IKZF1/3 with unique pharmacokinetic properties, with the goal to improve the therapeutic index to treat multiple myeloma and non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma—both alone and in combination with other therapeutic agents in these therapeutic areas.
"Cemsidomide continues to deliver clinical data demonstrating its potential to be used in both multi-refractory patients and as part of combination therapies across all lines of treatment for a significant number of patients with multiple myeloma or non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma," said Len Reyno, M.D., chief medical officer of C4 Therapeutics. "We look forward to leveraging today’s data to inform clinical development strategies in both multiple myeloma and non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma that has the potential to unlock the value of cemsidomide for patients in need of innovative therapies across treatment lines."
Multiple Myeloma (MM)
At the ASH (Free ASH Whitepaper) Annual Meeting, C4T presented safety and anti-myeloma data demonstrating cemsidomide has the potential to become a best-in-class IKZF1/3 degrader used as a backbone therapy of choice for patients with multiple myeloma where IKZF1/3 degradation is warranted. These data support the future development of cemsidomide across treatment lines in combination with other anti-myeloma agents.
As of the data cutoff date of October 11, 2024, a total of 47 patients received cemsidomide in combination with dexamethasone across four dose levels (50 µg dosed Monday, Wednesday, Friday (MWF); 37.5 µg dosed once daily (QD); 62.5 µg QD; 75 µg QD). Patients were heavily pretreated, receiving a median of six prior therapies. All patients (100 percent) were triple-class exposed, defined as exposure to one or more immunomodulatory agents, one or more proteasome inhibitors, and one anti-CD38 antibody. Thirty-three patients (70 percent) received prior BCMA directed therapy. Thirty-one patients (66 percent) received prior CAR-T or T-cell engager therapy.
Safety: Cemsidomide in combination with dexamethasone was well tolerated.
As of the data cutoff date, 47 patients were evaluable for safety.
The most common adverse events (AEs) Grade 3 or above were neutropenia (n=18), anemia (n=10) and infections (n=8). No patients discontinued therapy due to neutropenia.
No patients experienced a treatment emergent adverse event that led to dose reduction.
The maximum tolerated dose has not yet been identified. Enrollment is currently ongoing at the 100 µg QD dose level.
Anti-myeloma activity: Cemsidomide in combination with dexamethasone demonstrated anti-myeloma activity across a broad range of doses, highlighting a wide therapeutic range.
As of the data cutoff, 42 patients were evaluable for anti-myeloma activity.
Across all dose levels, cemsidomide in combination with dexamethasone achieved a 26 percent ORR and a 40 percent clinical benefit rate (CBR).
At the highest dose level explored to date (75 µg QD), cemsidomide achieved a 36 percent ORR and a 45 percent CBR.
At the two highest dose levels evaluated to date (62.5 µg QD and 75 µg QD), 62 percent of patients remained on therapy as of the data cutoff date.
Binod Dhakal, M.D., M.S., associate professor of medicine, Medical College of Wisconsin, Division of Hematology, presented a poster highlighting the MM results. He commented: "The data presented at the ASH (Free ASH Whitepaper) Annual Meeting demonstrate cemsidomide in combination with dexamethasone is active and well-tolerated over a range of doses in a heavily pretreated, relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma patient population—including a majority of patients who have received T-cell directed therapies who are challenging to treat. I look forward to cemsidomide’s continued development as a potential new treatment option for patients in the evolving myeloma landscape."
C4T has identified 75 µg QD as a target dose for various dexamethasone combination regimens; as dose escalation continues, higher doses may also be considered. For immune-based combination strategies, C4T believes doses lower than 75 µg QD will be optimal based on anti-myeloma activity and immune activation observed in the previously disclosed monotherapy data set.
C4T has identified the following next steps in cemsidomide MM development:
Complete Phase 1 dose escalation trial in MM to establish go forward doses
Initiate initial combination trials
Engage regulatory authorities on registrational path
Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma (NHL)
At the ASH (Free ASH Whitepaper) Annual Meeting, C4T also presented safety and anti-lymphoma data that reinforce C4T’s belief that IKZF1/3 degradation remains relevant in lymphoma. Based on the emerging anti-lymphoma signal demonstrated in patients with PTCL, C4T believes cemsidomide could be further developed in areas of high unmet need.
As of the data cutoff date of October 11, 2024, a total of 23 patients received cemsidomide monotherapy across five dose levels (25 µg MWF; 50 µg MWF QD; 37.5 µg QD; 62.5 µg QD; 100 µg QD). Patients were heavily pretreated, receiving a median of three prior therapies. Seventeen patients had refractory progressive PTCL and six patients had refractory progressive B-cell lymphoma.
Safety: Cemsidomide monotherapy was well tolerated and additional dose finding is ongoing.
As of the data cutoff, 23 patients were evaluable for safety.
The most common AEs Grade 3 or above were neutropenia (n=11), infections (n=6), febrile neutropenia (n=4) and anemia (n=4). No patients discontinued therapy due to neutropenia.
At this time, the maximum tolerated dose has not been defined. Two dose-limiting toxicities occurred at the 100 µg QD dose level. As a result, a 75 µg QD cohort was opened to refine the understanding of dose and safety in the NHL population; this cohort is currently enrolling patients. Escalation above 75 µg QD may be explored pending the outcome of the cohort.
Anti-lymphoma activity: Cemsidomide monotherapy demonstrated anti-lymphoma activity across a broad range of doses.
As of the data cutoff, 21 patients were evaluable for efficacy, 16 of which had PTCL.
Cemsidomide displays a differentiated pharmacokinetic profile with an approximate two-day half-life and an ability to induce rapid and potent degradation of IKZF1/3.
Across all dose levels explored, cemsidomide achieved a 38 percent ORR and 19 percent CMR rate.
In patients with PTCL, cemsidomide achieved a 44 percent ORR and 25 percent CMR rate.
Steve Horwitz, M.D., lymphoma specialist and cellular therapist, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, delivered an oral presentation highlighting the NHL results at the ASH (Free ASH Whitepaper) Annual Meeting. He commented: "I am pleased to share the first clinical data on monotherapy cemsidomide in non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, which demonstrated its well-tolerated safety profile and compelling anti-lymphoma activity. These initial data are encouraging, particularly in PTCL where relapsed/refractory patients lack effective targeted therapies. We believe these Phase 1 monotherapy data demonstrate that cemsidomide is well suited for further development in earlier lines of treatment and in combination with other anti-lymphoma agents."
C4T has identified the following next steps in cemsidomide NHL development:
Complete Phase 1 dose escalation trial and identify go forward dose
Initiate expansion cohort for PTCL
Engage regulatory authorities on registrational path
C4T Webcast for Analysts and Investors
C4T will host an investor webcast today December 8, 2024, at 5 pm EST. To join the webcast, please visit this link or the "Events & Presentations" page of the Investors section on the company’s website at www.c4therapeutics.com. A replay of the webcast will be archived and available following the event.
About Cemsidomide
Cemsidomide is an investigational, orally bioavailable small-molecule degrader designed to be a more potent and selective degrader of IKZF1/3, transcription factors that drive multiple myeloma (MM) and non-Hodgkin’s lymphomas (NHL), with unique pharmacokinetic properties. Clinical data has shown that cemsidomide is well-tolerated. In MM, cemsidomide displays evidence of anti-myeloma activity and immunomodulatory effects. In NHL, cemsidomide displays evidence of anti-lymphoma activity. More information may be accessed at www.clinicaltrials.gov (identifier: NCT04756726).
About IKZF1/3
IKZF1 (Ikaros) and IKZF3 (Aiolos) are transcription factors that directly regulate the activity of IRF4, a transcription factor that regulates downstream immune cell differentiation. Aberrant IRF4 is associated with both lymphoma and multiple myeloma proliferative T, B and plasma cell populations. Down regulation of IRF4 promotes the death of both myeloma and lymphoma cells.
About Multiple Myeloma
Multiple myeloma (MM) is a rare blood cancer affecting plasma cells. Approximately 36,000 people in the United States are diagnosed with MM each year. Despite advances in treatment, multiple myeloma remains incurable. Treatment combinations include IKZF1/3 degraders, which are established backbone therapies, across lines of therapy.
About non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma
Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (NHL) is one of the most common cancers in the United States. NHL forms in cells of the immune system called lymphocytes. In the United States, approximately 80,000 people are diagnosed with NHL each year. IKZF1/3 degraders are used across NHL subtypes.