Immutep's Promising Cancer Therapy Results: A New Hope for Difficult-to-Treat Patients
IMM (IMM) Share Update December 2024 Wednesday 11th
Immutep Announces Promising Results in Head and Neck Cancer Trial
Immutep Limited has announced positive results from its TACTI-003 Phase IIb trial, showcasing the potential of its novel cancer therapy in patients with challenging head and neck cancers.
Instant Summary:
- Strong overall survival with a 12-month rate of 67%, median OS not reached.
- Progression-free survival of 5.8 months.
- Complete response rate increased to 12.9% and 16.1%.
- Therapy continues to be well-tolerated with no new safety signals.
Clinical Trial Success
Immutep Limited, a clinical-stage biotechnology company, has released promising data from its TACTI-003 Phase IIb trial at the ESMO Immuno-Oncology Congress 2024. The study evaluates eftilagimod alpha (efti) in combination with pembrolizumab, an anti-PD-1 therapy, in patients with recurrent/metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) who have negative PD-L1 expression.
The data reveals a strong overall survival (OS) rate, with the median OS not yet reached and a 12-month OS rate of 67%, significantly higher than historical controls. Additionally, the trial reports a progression-free survival (PFS) of 5.8 months and a median duration of response (DOR) of 9.3 months.
Improved Response Rates
The complete response rate has increased to 12.9% and 16.1% according to RECIST 1.1 and iRECIST criteria, respectively. The objective response rate (ORR) stands at 35.5%, with a disease control rate (DCR) of 58.1%, demonstrating the therapy's effectiveness in a patient group that typically does not respond well to anti-PD-1 therapy alone.
Safety and Tolerability
Importantly, the combination therapy continues to be well-tolerated, with no new safety signals reported. This safety profile is crucial for patients who have limited treatment options and often face significant side effects from existing therapies.
The positive results from Immutep's trial could significantly impact the company's stock, as they highlight a potential breakthrough in treating a difficult-to-treat patient population. The data suggests that the combination therapy could offer a new treatment avenue for patients with limited options, potentially expanding the market for Immutep's products.
Investor Reaction:
Analysts are likely to view these results favorably, given the unmet need in this patient population and the promising survival data. The lack of new safety concerns further strengthens the case for potential regulatory approval and market adoption.
Conclusion:
Investors should keep an eye on Immutep's next steps, including regulatory discussions and further data maturation. The company's progress in developing effective cancer therapies could present new opportunities for growth and value creation.