On May 26, 2021 Biodesix, Inc. (Nasdaq: BDSX), a leading data-driven diagnostic solutions company with a focus in lung disease, and Addario Lung Cancer Medical Institute (ALCMI) reported they will present on the progress of "Biomarker Analysis in High PD-L1 Expressing NSCLC Patients Treated With PD-1/PD-L1 Based Therapy With or Without the Addition of Platinum Based Chemotherapy (BEACON-Lung) (Press release, Biodesix, MAY 26, 2021, View Source [SID1234580654])." The BEACON-Lung study aims to evaluate biomarkers to predict overall survival and early progression outcomes in treatment-naïve advanced stage non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients with high PD-L1 expression. The first patient participant enrolled in the study this week.

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"The BEACON-Lung study furthers ALCMI’s mission to work with partners like Biodesix to overcome barriers to treatment in lung cancer," said Tony Addario, chair and CEO of ALCMI. "This study will enable us to develop a better understanding of how biomarkers can unlock treatment options for patients with NSCLC and improve survivorship."

The study, being conducted through ALCMI’s prestigious research consortium of leading US academic centers, launched early this year. Nearly half of the targeted 10 sites are actively enrolling with a target enrollment of 390 patients. BEACON-Lung will use Biodesix’s Primary Immune Response (PIR) test to classify patients receiving PD-1/PD-L1 therapy or PD-1/PD-L1 plus carboplatin-based chemotherapy and identify those who may benefit from more aggressive treatment regimens.

"As an oncologist, I am excited by the progress we have made for patients who are now diagnosed with non-small cell lung cancer," said Dr. Mary Jo Fidler, principal investigator for the BEACON trial and associate professor in the Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Hematology, Oncology and Cell Therapy at Rush Medical College. "However, to identify the best treatment course for an individual patient still requires the development of biomarkers, especially in the field of immunotherapy. BEACON-Lung is a study that aims address this current gap in biomarker development and treatment selection for advanced non-small cell lung cancer."

The BEACON-Lung study is designed to generate key data to further the development of immunotherapy biomarkers for treatment naïve NSCLC patients. Currently, PDL1 expression is the only clinically validated biomarker predicting patient response to front line PD-1/L1 directed immunotherapy. However, PD-L1 expression remains an imperfect marker, and this study will also help determine if patients should pursue other treatment regimens.

"We are thrilled that the BEACON-Lung study is now launched," said Dr. James Jett, CMO of Biodesix. "This study will allow us to evaluate performance of Biodesix’s PIR test in the treatment naïve NSCLC patient population receiving immunotherapy. We are committed to the advancement of biomarker research and to fulfill an unmet need in the NSCLC treatment landscape."

Presentation Title: Biomarker Analysis in High PD-L1 Expressing NSCLC Patients Treated With PD-1/PD-L1 Based Therapy With or Without the Addition of Platinum Based Chemotherapy (BEACON-Lung)
Authors: Mary J. Fidler, Victoria Meucci Villaflor, Amol Rao, Balazs Halmos, Erin Marie Bertino, Raymond U. Osarogiagbon, David Paul Carbone; Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL; Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine and Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center of Northwestern University, Chicago, IL; Memorial Care, Laguna Hills, CA; Albert Einstein College of Medicine and Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, NY; The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbus, OH; Baptist Cancer Center, Multidisciplinary Thoracic Oncology Department, Memphis, TN
Abstract Number: TPS9126
Session Date/Time: June 4, 2021 / After 9am E.T.

About ALCMI
The Addario Lung Cancer Medical Institute (ALCMI, voiced as "Alchemy"), founded in 2008 as a 501c(3) non-profit organization by lung cancer survivor Bonnie J Addario, is a patient-centric, international research consortium driving research otherwise not possible. Working in tandem with its "partner" foundation, GO2 Foundation for Lung Cancer, ALCMI powers collaborative initiatives in genetic (molecular) testing, therapeutic discoveries, targeted treatments, and early detection. ALCMI combines scientific expertise found at its network of 26 member academic institutions through its network of community cancer centers to accelerate patient access to research.