ImmunoGen Provides New Clinical Data On IMGN901

ImmunoGen has provided the initial efficacy, safety and tolerability clinical data of IMGN901, for the treatment of small-cell lung cancer (SCLC). IMGN901 is in early clinical testing and is a potential treatment for SCLC, Merkel cell carcinomas, ovarian cancers, multiple myeloma, and other CD56+ cancers.

Reportedly, in two early-stage clinical trials that enrolled patients whose SCLC had recurred following treatment with standard chemotherapies, administration of IMGN901 achieved notable tumor shrinkage and/or sustained stable disease.

Study was open to patients with any type of CD56+ solid tumor, including SCLC, during its dose-escalation phase I leg. In its phase II leg, enrollment was limited to patients with SCLC or other CD56+ small-cell carcinoma. In this trial, IMGN901 was administered weekly for four weeks, every six weeks.

In addition to that, study 002 is a dose-escalation trial evaluating IMGN901 in patients with CD56+ solid tumors, including SCLC, when administered daily for three consecutive days every 21 days.

The SCLC clinical data shows 25% of clical benefit rateconsisting of patients with an objective response and/or sustained stable disease.

An objective response was reported in a patient whose SCLC had recurred within four months of treatment with cisplatin, etoposide, and topotecan plus radiation therapy. This patient had a partial response after his first IMGN901 treatment cycle and reached a 91% reduction in tumor size by the end of his third cycle. His disease progressed after his fourth cycle – 24 weeks after he first received IMGN901, said the company.

Additionally, six patients with MCC had received IMGN901. Two of these patients had a confirmed objective response and one had sustained stable disease, for a clinical benefit rate of 50%.

James O’Leary, vice president and CMO of ImmunoGen, said: “Based on these clinical data and our findings to date in our lead multiple myeloma trial, we believe IMGN901 may have applications in the treatment of a number of CD56-expressing cancers that have limited therapeutic options today.

“Our plan is to complete Study 002 and use the findings from this trial, together with the findings in multiple myeloma, to determine the next steps in the clinical development of IMGN901 for solid tumors,” he added.