Kite and Pfizer extend Clinical Trial collaboration to assess Yescarta in large B-cell lymphoma
A Gilead Company, Kite ventures into Clinical Trial collaboration with Pfizer, enabling assessment of the efficacy of the investigational combination of Yescarta (axicabtagene ciloleucel) and Pfizer’s utomilumab , a fully humanized 4-1BB agonist monoclonal antibody, in patients with refractory large B-cell lymphoma. Kite is also likely to initiate Phase 1/2 study in 2018. Further development of this combination or other combinations between Kite’s engineered T cell products and utomilumab. relies solely on the analysis of the outcome.
Post two or more lines of systemic therapy. including DLBCL , primary mediastinal large B-cell lymphoma, high grade B-cell lymphoma and DLBCL arising from follicular lymphoma, Yescarta is alleged to be the first chimeric antigen receptor T (CAR T) cell therapy however not recommended for patients with primary central nervous system lymphoma. Utomilumab, also known as PF-05082566, is an investigational 4-1BB agonist that has been shown in preclinical models to enhance T cell mediated immune responses. Pfizer is currently investigating utomilumab in both hematologic cancers and solid tumors as a single agent and in combination with other anti-cancer therapies. Evidence also suggests that 4-1BB, a costimulatory protein expressed on activated T cells, is upregulated upon exposure to CD19-expressing tumor cells. Utomilumab could potentially enhance T cell proliferation and activity by augmenting the CD28 costimulatory domain of Yescarta with exogenous 4-1BB signaling.
U.S has also released vital safety information for Yescarta like it poses certain grave after-effects including Cytokine Release Syndrome and Neurologic Toxicities and the noteworthy fact that Yescarta is available only through a restricted program under a Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy (REMS) called the Yescarta REMS.
David Chang, MD, PhD, Worldwide Head of Research and Development and Chief Medical Officer at Kite claimed “We are pleased to collaborate with Pfizer on this study with utomilumab, which adds to the growing number of combination approaches we are exploring with Yescarta for patients living with lymphoma.”