Purple Biotech, a clinical-stage company developing groundbreaking therapies that exploit the power of the tumor microenvironment, today released exciting results from their Phase 1 dose escalation study. The study enrolled 14 patients, including 11 with pancreatic adenocarcinoma, two with colorectal adenocarcinoma, and one with papillary thyroid cancer. The analysis of eight evaluable patients revealed clinically meaningful and durable reductions in serum myeloperoxidase, a biomarker for NETs, following treatment with CM24 plus nivolumab. Additionally, patient survival may be associated with higher levels of CEACAM1+ tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes in the TME, according to analyses of tumor samples. These results, combined with further data from the study, will be presented at an upcoming medical conference.
CEACAM1, a cancer-promoting protein released by activated neutrophils, is found on NETs – web-like DNA structures implicated in tumor progression and metastases. Preclinical studies have demonstrated that CM24, a promising therapeutic agent, has the ability to bind to NETs and inhibit NET-induced cancer cell migration. Therefore, targeting CEACAM1 on NETs may represent a promising strategy for preventing metastatic progression and immune evasion.
Atreca is developing CM24, a first-of-its-kind monoclonal antibody that could revolutionize cancer treatment. CM24 works by blocking CEACAM1, an immune checkpoint protein that helps tumors evade and survive the body’s immunity. As part of a randomized Phase 2 study, Atreca is currently evaluating CM24 in combination with the PD-1 inhibitor nivolumab and chemotherapy in patients with metastatic pancreatic cancer (PDAC). The primary endpoint of this study is to assess the efficacy of CM24 in second-line PDAC through overall survival. If successful, this groundbreaking treatment could potentially revolutionize cancer treatment.
Purple Biotech’s CEO, Gil Efron, is encouraged by the promising early biomarker results from their Phase 2 clinical study evaluating CM24 in combination with nivolumab and chemotherapy for the treatment of PDAC. With these initial findings, they now have a better understanding of the relevant mechanisms and can implement a biomarker-driven strategy to identify patients that will benefit the most from CM24. They are excited to see the results of their ongoing study and to continue exploring the potential of CM24.
About Purple Biotech
Purple Biotech Ltd. (NASDAQ/TASE: PPBT) is a clinical-stage company developing revolutionary therapies that seek to overcome tumor immune evasion and drug resistance. Its oncology pipeline is comprised of three innovative treatments: NT219, CM24, and IM1240. NT219 is a dual inhibitor, novel small molecule that simultaneously targets IRS1/2 and STAT3. It is currently being investigated as a monotherapy treatment of solid tumors and in combination with cetuximab for the treatment of recurrent and metastatic squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN) or colorectal adenocarcinoma (CRC). CM24 is a humanized monoclonal antibody that blocks CEACAM1, an immune checkpoint protein. This powerful combination therapy is being studied in a Phase 2 clinical trial in combination with anti-PD-1 checkpoint inhibitors and chemotherapy for the treatment of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). IM1240 is a preclinical, conditionally-activated tri-specific antibody that engages both T cells and NK cells to create a strong, localized immune response within the tumor microenvironment. This cutting-edge technology is expected to increase therapeutic window in