Clinical Trial Results of the BCMA CAR-T Co-developed by IASO Biotherapeutics and Innovent Commented in American Society of Hematology’s Medical Journal, Blood

PLEASANTON, Calif. & NANJING, China--(BUSINESS WIRE)--#EHA2021--IASO Biotherapeutics (IASO Bio) and Innovent Biologics, Inc. (Innovent, HKEX: 01801) today announced that the results of initial clinical studies on treatment of relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM) in subjects using fully human BCMA-targeting CAR (CT103A), an investigational chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy co-developed by IASO Bio and Innovent (IASO Bio: CT103A, Innovent: IBI326) was published in Blood, a peer-reviewed medical journal specializing in hematology. The article is titled “A phase 1 study of a novel fully human BCMA-targeting CAR (CT103A) in patients with relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma.”

During the studies, Blood editors were so impressed by the unique persistence of CT103A and the authors’ exposition on the re-treatment prospects of the disease that they invited experts from University College London Cancer Institute to write a review titled “BCMA CARs in multiple myeloma: room for more?” (DOI 10.1182/blood.2021010833).

Background and results of CT103A clinical studies

Despite recent advances in multiple myeloma (MM) treatment, particularly the emergence and clinical application of immunomodulatory drugs, proteasome inhibitors, and monoclonal antibodies that have improved the survival of MM patients, MM remains an incurable plasma cell cancer, and relapse is almost inevitable in all patients. Results from previously published clinical trials showed that 33% to 88% of patients with relapsed/refractory MM (RRMM) had objective anti-myeloma responses after treatment with anti–B-cell maturation antigen (BCMA) chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells ^1-7. It remains a great challenge, however, to achieve durable responses, and relapse or disease progression is observed in 28% to 88% of patients at a median follow-up time of two to 15 months ^1-7.

The clinical study published in Blood was conducted in the Department of Hematology, at Tongji Medical College of Huazhong University of Science and Technology (HUST) in China (ChiCTR1800018137). The results showed CT103A has a favorable safety profile with mild and controllable cytokine release syndrome (CRS) as well as excellent expansion and longer persistence during transfusion. In addition, patients relapsed from a prior murine BCMA CAR-T treatment also benefited from CT103A treatment.

Efficacy:

• CT103A is highly active and induces quick and durable responses in patients with RRMM. The overall response rate (ORR) was 100% for all patients (18 of 18), with enhanced responses over time, and 72% (13 of 18) of the patients achieved complete response (CR) or stringent complete response (sCR). All patients evaluated for minimal residual disease (MRD, 17 of 17) in the bone marrow were MRD-negative at 10^-4 nucleated cells by flow cytometry within one month; nine of them were tested by next generation sequencing, and four patients achieved the best responses of MRD negativity by the level of 10^-6 nucleated cells over time. The PFS and OS rate at one year were 58.3% and 75%, respectively. One-year PFS rate was 79.1% for subjects without extramedullary myeloma (EMM). The patient with longest follow-up maintains sCR for over two years.
• This study enrolled four patients who had previously been treated with a murine BCMA CAR For the 4 murine BCMA CAR–exposed patients. Three achieved sCR, and one achieved a very good partial response (VGPR).

Safety: No Immune effector cell-associated neurotoxicity syndrome (ICANS) was observed in any of the dose groups. Cytokine release syndrome (CRS) was observed from 94% of the subjects, and there was a comparatively high rate of severe CRS (28% grade three; 13% would have had grade three if the highest dose had been excluded). In the dose expansion study, the investigator recommended 1X10⁶/kg CAR+ T cells as recommended Phase II dose.

CAR T-cell expansion: According to PCR-based CAR transgene quantification, the median time to reach peak concentration after infusion was 12 days (range, 7-26 days), a strong indication of rapid CAR expansion. No significant difference was observed among three dosing groups. For the four patients who had participated in prior murine BCMA CAR T-cell trials, low levels of expansions of previously infused murine CAR T-cells were observed with short durations compared with CT103A, indicating that the therapeutic response should mainly be attributed to CT103A expansion.

Immunogenicity: Anti-drug antibodies (ADA) were tested in all 18 subjects and two samples of one subject were validated as positive for ADA.

Comments on the Blood article

In the article, three experts from University College London (UCL) Cancer Institute--Lydia Sarah, Hui Lee, and Kwee L. Yong--commented on the CT103A studies. “Wang et al describe clinical outcomes that we have come to expect in the field today and include sufficient details on their trial protocol and subject cohort to allow considered comparison with other trials globally. The authors are candid in their assessment of the trial, and they discuss the possible impact of their comparatively treatment-naive cohort and their lymphodepletion regimen (combining fludarabine with high-dose cyclophosphamide) on response, toxicity, and CAR persistence. Even so, the study is noteworthy for the duration of CAR persistence and its inclusion of subjects previously treated with a murine BCMA CAR.”

They also mentioned that both points are significant because it is well known that CARs targeting CD19 in acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL) can maintain durable responses in 40% of subjects despite therapy being given for refractory disease and multiple relapses ⁸. However, even with initial disease regression, durable responses with CAR-T cells have not been achieved in MM ^9-11. In the first two BCMA CAR trials reported, subjects had a median PFS of one year. Although the outcomes reported in the CARTITUDE-1 trial were better, it is still not clear whether prolonged remissions can be obtained with existing CAR T-cell products in MM.

The experts subsequently noted and affirmed the in vivo persistence of CT103A. They compared the clinical trial data for CT103A and two other CAR-T drugs launched in the market. “In trials assessing the earliest BCMA CARs, bb2121 and LCAR-B38M/JNJ-4528, persistence was typically six months. Given this landscape, the reported persistence of CT103A is notable. The maximum concentration of circulating CT103A is lower than other CARs, but it has a median persistence of 308 days, which will likely increase with follow-up. Robust expansion was seen in all subjects, and at last follow-up (median, 13 months), CAR-T cells had fallen below 1 X 10² copies per mg of DNA in only five subjects.”

In addition to relatively high persistence, the experts also noted relatively low binding affinity (10 nM) of CT103A. “Another unusual feature of CT103A is its relatively low binding affinity (10 nM), which the authors have usefully compared with that of bb2121. CT103A has a slower on-rate, and both binders have similarly fast off-rates compared with the CD19 binder in tisagenlecleucel and axicabtagene ciloleucel (FMC63). The association between binding affinity and clinical outcomes is still uncertain and is likely to be target and context dependent. In CD19, a lower-affinity CAR has been associated with improved persistence in pediatric ALL in which the authors postulated that a faster off-rate may facilitate serial triggering. More work is needed to define the binding kinetics that may influence the efficacy of BCMA CARs.”

Special mention was made of the unusual practice of enrolling four subjects who had previously been treated with a murine BCMA CAR for CT103A clinical trials. “Unusually, this study enrolled four subjects who had previously been treated with a murine BCMA CAR. CT103A expanded in all four subjects, and in three of them, there was transient and low-level expansion of the murine BCMA CAR construct after lymphodepletion. This indicates that undetectable levels of CAR-T cells can remain at disease relapse with antigen-positive disease, but they are likely to be exhausted or terminally differentiated. This further underlines the importance of defining the drivers of disease control in terms of CAR manufacture or in the tumor niche.”

The experts from UCL Cancer Institute ended with positive remarks and optimism on the persistence of CT103A and its treatment of MM: “More widely, we are witnessing rapid developments in MM CAR T-cell therapy. We await maturity of promising but early data from an increasing number of MM CARs jostling for a spot on the global landscape, some of which may achieve persistence to rival CT103A¹³. CT103A thus enters a rather crowded field but is a welcome addition for its report of increased persistence and contribution to the discussion surrounding the prospect of retreatment.”

About CT103A (BCMA CAR-T)

CT103A is an innovative therapy co-developed by IASO Bio and Innovent. Previous studies indicate subjects with relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM) who received high-dose BCMA-targeting CAR-T cells may achieve better remission but have worse adverse events. Moreover, once the disease progresses again, the re-infusion of CAR-T cells will not be effective. To solve this dilemma, CT103A has been developed, a lentiviral vector containing a CAR structure with a fully human scFv, CD8a hinger and transmembrane, 4-1BB co-stimulatory and CD3ζ activation domains. Based on strict selection and screening, utilizing a proprietary in-house optimization platform, the construct of the BCMA CAR-T is potent and persistent. In February 2021, CT103A was granted breakthrough therapy designation by the NMPA for treatment of relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma.

About IASO Bio

IASO Bio is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company engaged in the discovery and development of novel cell therapies for oncology and autoimmune diseases. Leveraging its proprietary fully human antibody discovery platform (IMARS), high-throughput CAR-T drug priority platform, and proprietary manufacturing processes, IASO Bio is developing a rich clinical-stage pipeline of multiple autologous and allogeneic CAR-T and biologics product candidates. Currently, the company is developing a diversified portfolio of over 10 novel pipeline products. IASO’s leading asset, CT103A, an innovative anti-BCMA CAR-T cell therapy under pivotal study for relapsed/refractory (R/R) multiple myeloma (RRMM), was granted Breakthrough Therapeutic Designation by China’s National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) in February 2021. For more information, please visit www.iasobio.com.

About Innovent

Inspired by the spirit of "Start with Integrity, succeed through Action,” Innovent’s mission is to develop, manufacture and commercialize high-quality biopharmaceutical products that are affordable to ordinary people. Established in 2011, Innovent is committed to developing, manufacturing, and commercializing high-quality innovative medicines for the treatment of cancer, autoimmune, metabolic, and other major diseases. On October 31, 2018, Innovent was listed on the Main Board of the Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited with the stock code: 01801.HK.

Since its inception, Innovent has developed a fully integrated multi-functional platform which includes R&D, CMC (Chemistry, Manufacturing, and Controls), clinical development and commercialization capabilities. Leveraging the platform, the company has built a robust pipeline of 24 valuable assets in the fields of cancer, metabolic, autoimmune disease and other major therapeutic areas, with four products – TYVYT® (sintilimab injection), BYVASDA® (bevacizumab biosimilar injection), SULINNO® (adalimumab biosimilar injection) and HALPRYZA® (rituximab biosimilar injection) – officially approved for marketing in China, sintilimab’s Biologics License Application (BLA) acceptance in the U.S. , six assets in Phase 3 or pivotal clinical trials, and an additional 14 molecules in clinical trials. In 2019, TYVYT® was the first PD-1 inhibitor included in the National Reimbursement Drug List (NRDL) and the only PD-1 inhibitor included in the NRDL that year.

Innovent has built an international team with advanced talent in high-end biological drug development and commercialization, including many global experts. The company has also entered into strategic collaborations with Eli Lilly and Company, Adimab, Incyte, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Hanmi and other international partners. Innovent strives to work with many collaborators to help advance China’s biopharmaceutical industry, improve drug availability and enhance the quality of the patients’ lives. For more information, please visit: www.innoventbio.com.

REFERENCES:

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2. Xu J, Wang Q, Xu H, et al. Anti-BCMA CAR-T cells for treatment of plasma cell dyscrasia: case report on POEMS syndrome and multiple myeloma. J Hematol Oncol. 2018;11(1):128.

3. Zhao WH, Liu J, Wang BY, et al. A phase 1, open-label study of LCAR-B38M, a chimeric antigen receptor T cell therapy directed against B cell maturation antigen, in subjects with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma. J Hematol Oncol. 2018;11(1):141.

4. Brudno JN, Maric I, Hartman SD, et al. T cells genetically modified to express an anti-B-cell maturation antigen chimeric antigen receptor cause remissions of poor-prognosis relapsed multiple myeloma. J Clin Oncol. 2018;36(22): 2267-2280.

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6. Xu J, Chen LJ, Yang SS, et al. Exploratory trial of a biepitopic CAR T-targeting B cell maturation antigen in relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2019; 116(19):9543-9551.

7. Cohen AD, Garfall AL, Stadtmauer EA, et al. B cell maturation antigen-specific CAR T cells are clinically active in multiple myeloma. J Clin Invest. 2019;129(6):2210-2221.

8. Maude SL, Laetsch TW, Buechner J, et al. Tisagenlecleucel in children and young adults with B-cell lymphoblastic leukemia. N Engl J Med. 2018;378(5):439-448

9. Brudno JN, Maric I, Hartman SD, et al. T cells genetically modified to express an anti-B-cell maturation antigen chimeric antigen receptor cause remissions of poor-prognosis relapsed multiple myeloma. J Clin Oncol. 2018;36(22): 2267-2280.

10. Raje N, Berdeja J, Lin Y, et al. Anti-BCMA CAR T-cell therapy bb2121 in relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma. N Engl J Med. 2019; 380(18):1726-1737.

11. Madduri D, Berdeja JG, Usmani SZ, et al CARTITUDE-1: Phase 1b/2 study of ciltacabtagene autoleucel, a B-cell maturation antigen–directed chimeric antigen receptor T cell therapy, in relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma [abstract]. Blood. 2020;136(suppl 1). Abstract 177.

12. Ghorashian S, Kramer AM, Onuoha S, et al. Enhanced CAR T cell expansion and prolonged persistence in pediatric subjects with ALL treated with a low-affinity CD19 CAR. Nat Med. 2019;25(9):1408-1414.

13. Mailankody S, Jakubowiak AJ, Htut M, et alOrvacabtagene autoleucel (orva-cel), a B-cell maturation antigen (BCMA)-directed CAR T cell therapy for subjects (pts) with relapsed/ refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM): update of the phase 1/2 EVOLVE study (NCT03430011) [abstract]. J Clin Oncol. 2020; 38(suppl 15). Abstract 8504.

Mary Placido
SKC, Inc.
mary@skc-pr.com
(415) 218-3627