Research, Diagnostics
Globenewswire | May 26, 2023
Xilio Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: XLO), a clinical-stage biotechnology company discovering and developing tumor-activated immuno-oncology therapies for people living with cancer, today announced preliminary data from its Phase 1 clinical trial evaluating XTX101, an investigational tumor-activated, Fc-enhanced anti-CTLA-4, in patients with advanced solid tumors.
“We are encouraged by the preliminary data from the Phase 1 trial for XTX101 showing evidence of tumor-selective activation,” said Martin Huber, M.D., president and head of research and development at Xilio. “Following treatment with XTX101 monotherapy at the recommended Phase 2 dose of 150 mg once every six weeks, we observed a partial response in a patient with PD-L1 negative advanced non-small cell lung cancer. Importantly, this anti-tumor activity occurred in the absence of meaningful observed activation of the immune system in the periphery, suggesting tumor-selective activation of XTX101. Based on these Phase 1 data, we plan to explore opportunities to evaluate XTX101 in combination with an anti-PD-(L)1 in historically immunotherapy-resistant tumor types.”
Data from the Ongoing Phase 1 Clinical Trial for XTX101
As of a data cutoff date of May 2, 2023, 25 patients had been treated with XTX101, including dose levels ranging from 7 mg to 180 mg administered once every three weeks (Q3W) and one dose level at 150 mg administered once every six weeks (Q6W). Of these patients, 20 patients were dosed in monotherapy dose-escalation (Part 1A) and five patients were dosed in monotherapy dose-expansion (Part 1B).
Patients had a wide range of advanced and treatment-refractory solid tumors, including colorectal cancer (CRC), non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and pancreatic cancer. In addition, 76% of patients had been previously treated with at least three prior lines of anti-cancer therapy, and 44% had been previously treated with at least one immuno-oncology (I-O) agent. As of the data cutoff date, three patients were continuing on treatment with XTX101, and 22 patients had discontinued treatment with XTX101.
Preliminary Safety Data
A recommended Phase 2 dose (RP2D) and schedule of 150 mg Q6W was determined based on the favorable preliminary safety, pharmacokinetic (PK) and pharmacodynamic (PD) data for XTX101. At the RP2D, no dose-limiting toxicities were observed, and there was no reported evidence of immune-related endocrine or skin adverse events (AEs) that are commonly associated with systemically active anti-CTLA-4 agents. In addition, evidence of effective masking of XTX101 was demonstrated by low levels of unmasked drug detected in peripheral circulation, and XTX101 achieved target PK exposure at the RP2D, reaching the targeted area under the curve (AUC) and peak concentration (Cmax).
As of the data cutoff date:
Across all dosing levels and dosing intervals, no Grade 4 or Grade 5 treatment-related AEs were reported by investigators.
Among seven patients who received XTX101 administered at the RP2D of 150 mg on a Q6W dosing schedule, the most common treatment-related AEs (≥10% incidence) of any grade reported by investigators were diarrhea (14%), fatigue (14%) and decreased appetite (14%). In these patients, no treatment-related colitis or infusion related reaction of any grade was observed. Investigators reported only one Grade 3 treatment-related AE of diarrhea, which occurred after two doses and resolved after five days without steroid use. This patient tolerated two additional doses of XTX101 after dose reduction to 75 mg Q6W without any symptom recurrence. At the RP2D of 150 mg Q6W, this was the only patient with a dose reduction due to an AE, and no patients discontinued treatment due to a treatment-related AE.
Among 18 patients who received XTX101 administered on a Q3W dosing schedule, the most common treatment-related AEs (≥10% incidence) of any grade reported by investigators were diarrhea (28%), colitis (28%), infusion related reaction (28%), nausea (17%), vomiting (17%) and abdominal pain (11%). Of these, investigators reported the following Grade 3 treatment-related AEs: diarrhea (6%), colitis (22%) and infusion related reaction (17%). Infusion related reactions were associated with antidrug antibodies. Across all dose levels administered Q3W, two patients had dose reductions due to AEs, and four patients discontinued treatment due to an infusion related reaction.
Preliminary Anti-Tumor Activity
A partial response was observed at nine weeks in one patient with advanced PD-L1 negative NSCLC with hepatic metastases treated with XTX101 at the 150 mg Q6W dose level and confirmed after the data cutoff date at week 27. The only treatment-related AE reported for this patient was Grade 1 fatigue. In addition, PD markers for anti-CTLA-4 reported for this patient showed minimal immune activation in peripheral circulation, demonstrating evidence of tumor-selective activation of XTX101. The patient is currently continuing on treatment with XTX101.
Clinical Development Plan for XTX101
Enrollment in monotherapy dose-expansion (Part 1B) of the Phase 1 trial is currently ongoing, with the goal of further characterizing the safety, PK and PD of XTX101 at the RP2D of 150 mg Q6W. In addition, mandatory tumor biopsies will be obtained from patients in Part 1B to examine intra-tumoral PK and PD for XTX101.
Xilio plans to continue to explore strategic opportunities to advance XTX101 with a partner beyond the current Phase 1 monotherapy cohorts, including in potential Phase 1 dose escalation evaluating XTX101 in combination with a PD-(L)1 and in a potential Phase 2 trial evaluating XTX101 in combination with a PD-(L)1 in patients with microsatellite stable CRC.
About XTX101 (anti-CTLA-4) and the Phase 1 Clinical Trial
XTX101 is an investigational tumor-activated, Fc-enhanced anti-CTLA-4 monoclonal antibody designed to deplete regulatory T cells when activated (unmasked) in the tumor microenvironment (TME). The Phase 1 clinical trial is a first-in-human, multi-center, open-label trial designed to evaluate the safety and tolerability of XTX101 for the treatment of patients with advanced solid tumors. The primary outcome measures were the incidence of dose-limiting toxicities (DLTs) and the incidence of treatment-related adverse events, and changes in clinical laboratory abnormalities. Please refer to NCT04896697 on www.clinicaltrials.gov for additional details.
About Xilio Therapeutics
Xilio Therapeutics is a clinical-stage biotechnology company discovering and developing tumor-activated immuno-oncology (I-O) therapies with the goal of significantly improving outcomes for people living with cancer without the systemic side effects of current I-O treatments. The company is using its proprietary geographically precise solutions (GPS) platform to build a pipeline of novel, tumor-activated molecules, including cytokines and other biologics, which are designed to optimize their therapeutic index and localize anti-tumor activity within the tumor microenvironment. Xilio is currently advancing multiple programs for tumor-activated I-O treatments in clinical development, as well as programs in preclinical development. Learn more by visiting www.xiliotx.com and follow us on Twitter (@xiliotx) and LinkedIn (Xilio Therapeutics, Inc.).
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Industrial Impact
iNtRON Biotechnology | July 12, 2022
iNtRON Biotechnology announced that CDL200, a novel biological drug candidate under the development of the world's first enteric colon-targeted capsule formulation for the treatment of intractable and recurrent CDI confirmed the strong efficacy against clinical isolates from CDI patients.
A company official explained that the antibacterial activity of CDL200 was evaluated for 20 clinical isolates from patients in Europe and Korea, and rapid lysis effect within few minutes after treatment was confirmed from all of the tested strains. In particular, even though majority of the tested strains are resistant strains to the commonly used antibiotics such as Metronidazole, Vancomycin, and Rifaximin, CDL200 showed very potent and rapid bactericidal activity.
CDL200 is an endolysin-based novel biological drug candidate for the treatment of Clostridioides difficile infection, a hard-to-treat and recurrent bowel diseases. CDL200 has innovative drug properties that can eradicate bacteria much faster than the conventional antibiotics in the market, and also can be used for the infection caused by antibiotic-resistant bacteria and/or highly virulent bacteria.
CDI patient population has been increasing globally and resulting in high mortality rate due to resistance to the existing antibiotics and serious complications such as toxic megacolon, sepsis, and intestinal perforation. Although there is growing interest in refractory CDI that does not respond well to primary treatment, there are only few studies on effective treatment yet. The more serious problem is the frequency of recurrent CDI is increasing, since the risk of subsequent recurrence is over 45% in patients who have had at least one recurrence.
The conventional treatment based on Metronidazole and Vancomycin is not effective for CDI with severe intractability and repeating recurrence. And the recently attempted FMT (fecal microbiota transplantation), that is, the treatment of administering donor feces to the patient's intestinal tract, has advantages such as not suppressing the intestinal flora and not creating resistant strains, but the treatment brings objection to the general public and is limited in that there is a possibility that other pathogens from the donor may be transmitted.
The mortality rate of CDI was about 3-4% in the past, but due to intensification of antibiotic-resistant bacteria and the emergence of highly virulent strain (NAP1/027), the recent mortality rate has been rapidly increased to over 10%, which makes global awareness growing.
Dr. KANG, Sang Hyeon, CTO of iNtRON, said, "We have a number of new endolysin pipelines under the development utilizing our unique itLysin® technology for the serious infection that the development of effective therapeutic agents are urgently needed."
"Based on the development experience of SAL200, we will strive to enhance the value of our rich itLysin® pipelines and will continue to secure global competitiveness in the endolysin field."
Mr. YOON, Kyung Won, CEO of iNtRON
About CDL200
CDL200 is a novel endolysin-based anti- Clostridioides difficile causes an infection of the large intestine which is often referred to as C. difficile or C. diff. CDL200 showed potent and rapid activity against 100% clinical isolates from multi-nation and has no disturbance of the normal flora in human's gut. The potential clinical usage and indications are CDI and IBD (Inflammatory Bowel Disease), and the targeted administration route of CDL200 is oral in capsule formulation. CDL200 is under non-clinical stage development and IND enabling studies will be conducted throughout the year.
About iNtRON Biotechnology, Inc.
iNtRON is a leader in bacteriophage-based technology with aim to develop and investigate into the 'Immune & Immunotherapeutics' market. While pursuing global research and business development investments since their foundation and accelerated development after entering its IPO in KOSDAQ, the company honed in on innovating BIO New Drugs by developing various 'First-in-Concept' bio-drugs and conducting clinical studies in phases. The Company is committed to development of innovative innovation in the infectious diseases and 'Immune & Immunotherapeutics' area.
About iNtODEWORLD, Inc.
iNtRON has established its wholly owned US subsidiary, iNtODEWORLD, Inc. in 2017. iNtODEWORLD was initially registered in Delaware and the headquarter office is currently located in Boston. iNtODEWORLD provides news, updates and platform development progresses of iNtRON to its potential global partners and collaborators along with its own R&BD works in the US.
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Cell and Gene Therapy
iTolerance | July 01, 2022
iTolerance, Inc., an early-stage privately held regenerative medicine company developing technology to enable organoid, tissue, and cell therapy, announced entering into a joint collaboration with LyGenesis, Inc., a clinical-stage biotechnology company with an organ regeneration technology platform. The joint collaboration is aimed at evaluating the potential of iTOL-201, a product candidate being developed combining LyGenesis' LYG-LIV-100 liver cell therapy and iTolerance's SA FasL microgel immune tolerance platform to permit the growth of ectopic livers without the requirement for immune suppression.
The joint research effort of iTolerance and LyGenesis has produced in vitro data using iTOL-201 and is now moving toward small animal proof of concept work to assess the potential of the combined technology for producing ectopic livers capable of saving the animals from fatal liver disorders without the requirement for immune suppression.
With our lead therapy now in the clinic in a Phase 2a trial in patients with End Stage Liver Disease, we have turned our attention toward a second-generation therapy capable of growing ectopic organs without the need for immune suppression. iTolerance's platform holds enormous promise in this respect and we look forward to the results from our joint proof of concept work."
Dr. Michael Hufford, Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer of LyGenesis.
While long-term immunosuppression continues to be an obstacle for the use of cell and regenerative therapies, the research being conducted between both LyGenesis and iTolerance could allow for a major advancement in organ regeneration, As we advance our own pipeline of therapies focused on supporting pancreatic islet engraftments, I believe this synergistic collaborative research with LyGenesis has the potential to successfully combine technologies to drive significant value for both biotech companies and importantly, the patients we work to serve."
Dr. Anthony Japour, Chief Executive Officer of iTolerance.
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