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news.Kite Pharma is collaborating with Roche's subsidiary Genentech to evaluate two novel immunotherapies for patients with non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL).
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Under a phase 1b/2 study, Kite’s investigational anti-CD19 Chimeric Antigen Receptor (CAR) T cell product, KTE-C19, will be evaluated with Genentech’s investigational anti-PDL1 antibody atezolizumab.
The study, which is anticipated to start this year, will use the similar KTE-C19 dose and regimen as Kite’s ongoing, potential registration ZUMA-1 study in patients with refractory, aggressive NHL.
Kite will sponsor the study, and the results will be used to assess options for further development of the combination.
Kite Pharma chairman, president and CEO Arie Belldegrun said: "KTE-C19 is currently in four pivotal studies and early clinical findings have shown a potential for breakthrough efficacy in refractory, aggressive NHL and other B cell malignancies.
"The scientific rationale for combining KTE-C19 and atezolizumab in refractory, aggressive NHL is compelling, and could potentially lead to opportunities to advance this combination in other indications."
KTE-C19 is an investigational therapy in which a patient’s T cells are genetically changed to express a CAR designed to target the antigen CD19, a protein expressed on the cell surface of B cell lymphomas and leukemias.
The therapy secured breakthrough therapy designation from the US Food and Drug Administration to treat patients with refractory diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL), primary mediastinal B cell lymphoma (PMBCL), and transformed follicular lymphoma (TFL).
It has also secured orphan drug designation in the US for DLBCL and in the EU for several hematological indications.