Chimeric Therapeutics has dosed its first patient in its phase 1B trial that is the first of its kind to test natural killer, or “NK” cells in combination with Vactosertib in patients with advanced colorectal and blood cancers.
The treatment centres on NK cells that occur organically in the human body and can recognise and kill cancer cells.
The trial will be based on the company’s CHM 0201 off-the-shelf NK cell platform that successfully demonstrated safety and efficacy during clinical trials completed at the Seidman Cancer Centre in Ohio last year.
Chimeric says the objective of the phase 1B study is to build on the responses seen in the initial CORE NK phase 1A clinical trial by adding Vactosertib, a chemical compound with the potential to suppress the growth of certain tumours.
The new trial is designed to treat 12 patients with either locally advanced and metastatic colorectal cancer or relapsed and refractory blood cancers.
Chimeric Therapeutics Chief Executive Officer, Jennifer Chow said: “Dosing of the first patient in this trial is a meaningful step towards realising the potential of CHM 0201 in providing better options for treatment and care to these patients.”
One of Chimeric’s key missions is to cure cancer, not simply slow its progress, by developing cutting-edge cell therapy treatments aimed at killing the molecules that drive cancer cells and promote metastases.
The company says the previous trial in Ohio showed positive results and particularly in blood cancers where all patients achieved disease control. One patient achieved a complete response that was sustained through to 15 months at the time of study publication.
Using the CHM 0201 platform, Chimeric has initiated development of four new next generation NK treatments with plans for phase 1 clinical trials in solid tumours and blood cancer.
The phase 1B trial is currently funded without financial support from Chimeric Therapeutics.
Just last month the company successfully completed the planned medicating of its third dose cohort as part of its study evaluating the safety of the company’s CHM 1101 cell therapy to treat glioblastoma.
Glioblastoma is a rare but deadly aggressive cancer that can occur in the spinal cord or brain. The objectives of the study are to evaluate the safety and efficacy of the treatment and establish recommended dosing for a phase 2 trial.
Once the last patient of the third dose cohort successfully completes the evaluation period, the study will be able to advance to recruitment of patients at the fourth and final planned dose level.
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By Matt Birney
