On December 2, 2021 SQZ Biotechnologies Company (NYSE: SQZ), a cell therapy company developing novel treatments for multiple therapeutic areas, reported interim results from the highest-dose monotherapy cohort of its ongoing Phase 1/2 clinical trial of SQZ-PBMC-HPV, an investigational cell therapy being evaluated in certain patients with advanced or metastatic Human Papillomavirus positive (HPV16+) solid tumors (Press release, SQZ Biotech, DEC 2, 2021, View Source [SID1234596397]). In an abstract published today by the European Society for Medical Oncology Immuno-Oncology (ESMO-IO) Congress, taking place December 8-11, the company reported that a highly treatment experienced patient in the highest-dose cohort demonstrated a radiographic response in conjunction with substantial increases in CD8 T cell tumor infiltration and PD-L1 expression – both markers of tumor inflammation. The cell therapy was generally well tolerated and no dose limiting toxicities were observed in the final monotherapy stage of the trial.
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"We are excited to present detailed interim clinical findings from the highest dose monotherapy cohort of our ongoing SQZ-PBMC-HPV Phase 1/2 study at ESMO (Free ESMO Whitepaper)-IO," said Armon Sharei, Ph.D., Chief Executive Officer and Founder of SQZ Biotechnologies. "These data build upon the initial readout in lower dose cohorts presented at the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) (Free ASCO Whitepaper) annual conference earlier this year. The latest clinical response data and biomarker findings further increase our enthusiasm for the SQZ APC program as we advance into the combination stage with checkpoint inhibitors."
Data on the highest dose cohort of SQZ-PBMC-HPV-101, including biomarker and tumor response findings, will be shared as an oral presentation at ESMO (Free ESMO Whitepaper)-IO on December 9. See presentation information below.
The combination stage of the trial is enrolling with checkpoint inhibitors targeting the PD-(L)1 and CTLA-4 pathways. Available clinical trial data and scientific literature suggest that SQZ APCs could work synergistically with checkpoint inhibitors due to their CD8 tumor infiltrating lymphocytes (TIL) driving mechanism.
Trial Highlights from ESMO (Free ESMO Whitepaper) IO Abstract 565
SQZ-PBMC-HPV-101 Phase 1/2 trial has four dose-escalating monotherapy cohorts ranging from 0.5 to 5.0 x10e6 cells per kg
A total of 18 patients were treated across four cohorts and patients had an average of 3.5 prior lines of systemic cancer therapy
Across all cohorts the investigational therapy was generally well-tolerated, and no dose-limiting toxicities were observed
No grade 2 or higher treatment-related severe adverse events, or grade 3 adverse events, were observed in the highest-dose cohort
In the highest-dose cohort with five patients evaluable, one patient who had been heavily treated with PD-1 inhibitors before entering the trial demonstrated radiographic response as well as substantial increases in CD8 T cell tumor infiltration and PD-L1 expression
The highest-dose monotherapy stage continues enrollment to further characterize the investigational therapy in single agent settings.
ESMO-IO Presentation Details
Oral Presentation: Thursday, December 9 at 12:10 pm CET
Presentation Number: 48MO
Abstract Title: SQZ-PBMC-HPV-101: Preliminary results of a first-in-human, dose-escalation study of a cell-based vaccine in HLA-A*02+ patients with recurrent, locally advanced, or metastatic HPV16+ solid tumors
Lead Author: Jong Chul Park, MD, Medical Oncologist and Investigator, Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center
The ESMO (Free ESMO Whitepaper)-IO presentation will be on the Events & Presentations section of the company’s website on December 9 at 12:10 pm CET.
Conference Call
The company will host a conference call and webcast at 8:00 a.m. ET on Thursday, December 9 to discuss the ESMO (Free ESMO Whitepaper)-IO presentation. Participants can join via webcast link or by dialing 1-877-805-7920 (domestic) or 1-629-228-0702 (international) five minutes prior to the start of the call. An archived webcast will be accessible for 90 days after the event.
SQZ-PBMC-HPV-101 Trial Design
SQZ-PBMC-HPV is being evaluated in a Phase 1/2 clinical trial for the treatment of HPV16+ advanced or metastatic solid tumors. Patients must be positive for the human leukocyte antigen serotype HLA-A*02. The investigational candidate, which targets E6 and E7 oncoproteins, is being studied as a monotherapy and in combination with immuno-oncology agents. The study’s primary outcome measures in the monotherapy and combination phases of the trial include safety and tolerability. Antitumor activity is a secondary outcome measure in both the monotherapy and combination stages of the trial, and manufacturing feasibility is a secondary outcome measure in the monotherapy phase of the trial. The monotherapy phase of the study includes escalating dose cohorts with a dose-limiting toxicity (DLT) window of 28 days and is designed to identify a recommended phase 2 dose. The planned combination phase of the study will include SQZ-PBMC-HPV and checkpoint inhibitors. DLT will be measured over 42 days.
About Human Papillomavirus Positive Cancers
Human papillomavirus (HPV) is one of the most common viruses worldwide and certain strains persist for many years leading to cancer. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), in the United States HPV+ tumors represent 3% of all cancers in women and 2% of all cancers in men, resulting in over 39,000 new cases of HPV+ tumors every year. HPV infection is larger outside of the U.S., and according to the International Journal of Cancer HPV+ tumors account for 4.5% of all cancers worldwide, resulting in approximately 630,000 new cases every year. According to the CDC, HPV infection plays a significant role in the formation of more than 90% of anal and cervical cancers, and most cases of vaginal (75%), oropharyngeal (70%), vulval (70%) and penile (60%) cancers.