Immunocore presents new KIMMTRAK data confirming association between early ctDNA reduction and longer overall survival

Rhea-AI Summary

Immunocore Holdings plc (Nasdaq: IMCR) presented new data on KIMMTRAK (tebentafusp-tebn) at the 2023 American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting. The Phase 3 trial indicated that early reductions in circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) correlate with improved overall survival (OS). With 46 months of median follow-up from the Phase 2 trial, the median OS was confirmed at 16.8 months, significantly higher than historical rates in metastatic uveal melanoma (mUM). Additionally, ctDNA reduction by week 9 was noted in 88% of first-line patients, and those achieving ctDNA clearance saw an 84% one-year OS. Immunocore plans to release further OS data from the Phase 3 trial later in 2023.

Positive

• KIMMTRAK is approved in over 30 countries, benefiting numerous patients.
• Early ctDNA reduction strongly correlates with longer overall survival in both Phase 2 and Phase 3 trials.
• The final Phase 2 analysis showed a median overall survival of 16.8 months, doubling historical rates.
• ctDNA clearance was achieved in 37% of first-line patients, associated with high one-year overall survival rates.

Negative

• Cytokine Release Syndrome (CRS) occurred in 89% of patients, with potential for serious complications.
• Serious skin reactions and elevated liver enzymes were reported in a significant portion of patients.

Immunocore presents new KIMMTRAK data confirming association between early ctDNA reduction and longer overall survival

In the Phase 3 trial, early on-treatment ctDNA reduction was strongly associated with longer overall survival (OS)

Median 46 months follow up from Phase 2 trial confirms median OS of 16.8 months, with landmark OS rates approximately double historical rates in metastatic uveal melanoma population

(OXFORDSHIRE, England & CONSHOHOCKEN, Penn. & ROCKVILLE, Md, 18 April 2023) Immunocore Holdings plc (Nasdaq: IMCR), a commercial-stage biotechnology company pioneering the development of a novel class of T cell receptor (TCR) bispecific immunotherapies designed to treat a broad range of diseases, including cancer, infectious diseases and autoimmune conditions, has presented four posters with KIMMTRAK (tebentafusp-tebn) data in HLA-A*02:01 patients with metastatic uveal melanoma (mUM), at the 2023 American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2023.

“KIMMTRAK is now approved in over 30 countries and delivering benefit to hundreds of patients. The Phase 3 trial data presented at AACR confirms that ctDNA reduction from tebentafusp is strongly associated with survival benefit,” said David Berman, Head of Research and Development of Immunocore. “We are also proud to share the almost 4-year follow-up from the Phase 2 trial, which now represents the largest and longest follow-up on survival and safety from any TCR therapy to date.”

Circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) reduction by week 9 was observed in 88% of mUM patients treated as first-line (Phase 3 trial) and 71% in previously treated patients (Phase 2 trial); in both trials, this reduction was associated with longer overall survival (OS). ctDNA clearance was also higher in first-line patients (37%) compared to second-line patients (13%). ctDNA clearance in the Phase 3 trial was associated with 84% 1-year OS. In both trials, the association between ctDNA reduction and longer OS was also observed in patients with best RECIST response of progressive disease (PD), indicating that RECIST responses underestimate tebentafusp’s clinical benefits, and that ctDNA may be a better predictor of long OS than radiographic response.

The final analysis from the Phase 2 trial in previously treated mUM, after 46 months of follow-up, showed a median OS of 16.8 months – consistent with previous data updates. The landmark OS rates from the trial were approximately double historical rates in this patient population, as reported in two meta-analyses^1,2. Later in 2023, the Company intends to provide an OS update from the Phase 3 trial. At the time of primary analysis in 2020, the median OS was 21.7 months for patients treated with KIMMTRAK, versus 16.0 months for those treated with investigator’s choice.

The third poster provides a pooled analysis from 3 clinical trials in 12 mUM patients with orbital disease. Tebentafusp demonstrated preliminary signals of activity in intra-ocular lesions, supporting KIMMTRAK's use in patients with unresectable uveal melanoma.

The fourth poster shares in vitro data potentially explaining how tebentafusp may lead to OS benefit even in tumors with heterogenous gp100 expression.

Poster details

Title: Early ctDNA reduction is associated with better overall survival in the Ph 3 trial of tebentafusp in previously untreated metastatic uveal melanoma
Presenting author: Ryan Sullivan
Session: Liquid Biopsies: Circulating Nucleic Acid and Circulating Tumor Cells 1

Title: Long-term survival follow-up of tebentafusp in previously treated metastatic uveal melanoma
Presenting author: Joe Sacco
Session: Phase II Clinical Trials 2

Title: Evidence of tumor response in orbital lesions treated with tebentafusp in metastatic uveal melanoma patients
Presenting author: Marcus Butler
Session: Late breaking research: clinical research 1/ Endocrinology

Title: Melanoma patients with high and low target-expression can benefit from TCR-CD3 bispecifics through direct and indirect mechanisms of tumor control
Presenting author: Esra Güç
Session: Combination Immunotherapies 2

##

About KIMMTRAK^®
KIMMTRAK is a novel bispecific protein comprised of a soluble T cell receptor fused to an anti-CD3 immune-effector function. KIMMTRAK specifically targets gp100, a lineage antigen expressed in melanocytes and melanoma. This is the first molecule developed using Immunocore’s ImmTAC technology platform designed to redirect and activate T cells to recognize and kill tumor cells. KIMMTRAK has been approved for the treatment of HLA-A*02:01-positive adult patients with unresectable or metastatic uveal melanoma in the United States, European Union, Canada, Australia, and the United Kingdom.

About Phase 2 IMCgp100-102 Trial
IMCgp100-102 (NCT02570308) was an open-label, multi-center, single-arm trial of the safety and efficacy of tebentafusp in patients with previously treated mUM. The trial included 127 HLA-A*02:01+ 2L+ mUM patients, treated with tebentafusp at the recommended Phase 2 dose of 68mcg following intra-patient dose escalation of 20 mcg (week 1) and 30 mcg (week 2). The primary endpoint was overall response rate (ORR), with secondary objectives being overall survival (OS) and safety in 127 patients who had enrolled after progressing on one or more prior therapies. 

About Phase 3 IMCgp100-202 Trial
IMCgp100-202 (NCT03070392) is a randomized pivotal trial that evaluated overall survival (OS) of KIMMTRAK compared to investigator’s choice (either pembrolizumab, ipilimumab, or dacarbazine) in HLA-A*02:01-positive adult patients with previously untreated mUM. KIMMTRAK demonstrated an unprecedented OS benefit with a Hazard Ratio (HR) in the intent-to-treat population favoring KIMMTRAK, HR=0.51 (95% CI: 0.37, 0.71); p< 0.0001, over investigator’s choice (82% pembrolizumab; 13% ipilimumab; 6% dacarbazine).

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

Cytokine Release Syndrome (CRS), which may be serious or life-threatening, occurred in patients receiving KIMMTRAK. Monitor for at least 16 hours following first three infusions and then as clinically indicated. Manifestations of CRS may include fever, hypotension, hypoxia, chills, nausea, vomiting, rash, elevated transaminases, fatigue, and headache. CRS occurred in 89% of patients who received KIMMTRAK with 0.8% being grade 3 or 4. Ensure immediate access to medications and resuscitative equipment to manage CRS. Ensure patients are euvolemic prior to initiating the infusions. Closely monitor patients for signs or symptoms of CRS following infusions of KIMMTRAK. Monitor fluid status, vital signs, and oxygenation level and provide appropriate therapy. Withhold or discontinue KIMMTRAK depending on persistence and severity of CRS.

Skin Reactions

Skin reactions, including rash, pruritus, and cutaneous edema occurred in 91% of patients treated with KIMMTRAK. Monitor patients for skin reactions. If skin reactions occur, treat with antihistamine and topical or systemic steroids based on persistence and severity of symptoms. Withhold or permanently discontinue KIMMTRAK depending on the severity of skin reactions.

Elevated Liver Enzymes

Elevations in liver enzymes occurred in 65% of patients treated with KIMMTRAK. Monitor alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and total blood bilirubin prior to the start of and during treatment with KIMMTRAK. Withhold KIMMTRAK according to severity.

Embryo-Fetal Toxicity
KIMMTRAK may cause fetal harm. Advise pregnant patients of potential risk to the fetus and patients of reproductive potential to use effective contraception during treatment with KIMMTRAK and 1 week after the last dose.

The most common adverse reactions (≥30%) in patients who received KIMMTRAK were cytokine release syndrome, rash, pyrexia, pruritus, fatigue, nausea, chills, abdominal pain, edema, hypotension, dry skin, headache, and vomiting. The most common (≥50%) laboratory abnormalities were decreased lymphocyte count, increased creatinine, increased glucose, increased AST, increased ALT, decreased hemoglobin, and decreased phosphate.

For more information, please see full Summary of Product Characteristics (SmPC) or full U.S. Prescribing Information (including BOXED WARNING for CRS).

About Immunocore
Immunocore is a commercial-stage biotechnology company pioneering the development of a novel class of TCR bispecific immunotherapies called ImmTAX – Immune mobilizing monoclonal TCRs Against X disease – designed to treat a broad range of diseases, including cancer, autoimmune, and infectious disease. Leveraging its proprietary, flexible, off-the-shelf ImmTAX platform, Immunocore is developing a deep pipeline in multiple therapeutic areas, including five clinical stage programs in oncology and infectious disease, advanced pre-clinical programs in autoimmune disease and multiple earlier pre-clinical programs. Immunocore’s most advanced oncology TCR therapeutic, KIMMTRAK, has been approved for the treatment of HLA-A*02:01-positive adult patients with unresectable or metastatic uveal melanoma (mUM) in the United States, European Union, Canada, Australia and the United Kingdom, having demonstrated an overall survival benefit in a randomized Phase 3 clinical trial in mUM, a cancer that has historically proven to be insensitive to other immunotherapies.

Forward Looking Statements 
This press release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Words such as “may,” “can,” “will,” “believe,” “expect,” “plan,” “anticipate,” and similar expressions (as well as other words or expressions referencing future events or circumstances) are intended to identify forward-looking statements. All statements, other than statements of historical facts, included in this press release are forward-looking statements. These statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding the therapeutic potential and expected clinical benefits of our product candidates, including overall survival benefit, including in tumors with heterogenous gp100 expression; expectations that ctDNA reduction from tebentafusp is strongly associated with overall survival benefit; expectations indicating that RECIST responses underestimate tebentafusp’s clinical benefits and that ctDNA may be a better predictor of longer OS than radiographic response; expectations regarding the development of Immunocore’s pipeline and the design, progress, timing, scope and results of Immunocore’s existing and planned clinical trials, including the timing of an OS update from the Phase 3 IMCgp100-202 trial. Any forward-looking statements are based on management’s current expectations of future events and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially and adversely from those set forth in or implied by such forward-looking statements, many of which are beyond Immunocore’s control. 

These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, the impact of worsening macroeconomic conditions and the ongoing and evolving COVID-19 pandemic on Immunocore’s business, strategy, clinical trials, financial position and anticipated milestones, including Immunocore’s ability to conduct ongoing and planned clinical trials; Immunocore’s ability to obtain a clinical supply of current or future product candidates, or commercial supply of KIMMTRAK or any future approved products, including as a result of supply chain disruptions, the COVID-19 pandemic, the war in Ukraine or global geopolitical tension; Immunocore’s ability to obtain and maintain regulatory approvals for its product candidates; Immunocore’s ability to develop, manufacture and commercialize its product candidates; Immunocore’s ability and plans in continuing to establish and expand a commercial infrastructure and to successfully launch, market and sell KIMMTRAK and any future approved products; Immunocore’s ability to successfully expand the approved indications for KIMMTRAK or obtain marketing approval for KIMMTRAK in additional geographies in the future; the delay of any current or planned clinical trials, whether due to the COVID-19 pandemic, patient enrollment delays or otherwise; Immunocore’s ability to successfully demonstrate the safety and efficacy of its product candidates and gain approval of its product candidates on a timely basis, if at all; competition with respect to market opportunities; unexpected safety or efficacy data observed during pre-clinical studies or clinical trials; actions of regulatory agencies, which may affect the initiation, timing and progress of Immunocore’s clinical trials or future regulatory approval; Immunocore’s need for and ability to obtain additional funding, on favorable terms or at all, including as a result of worsening macroeconomic conditions such as rising inflation and interest rates, volatility in the capital markets and related market uncertainty, the COVID-19 pandemic, the war in Ukraine and global geopolitical tension; Immunocore’s ability to obtain, maintain and enforce intellectual property protection for KIMMTRAK or any product candidates it is developing; clinical trial site activation or enrollment rates that are lower than expected; and the success of Immunocore’s current and future collaborations, partnerships or licensing arrangements. These and other risks and uncertainties are described in greater detail in the section titled "Risk Factors" in Immunocore’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including Immunocore’s most recent Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2022 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 1, 2023, as well as discussions of potential risks, uncertainties, and other important factors in Immunocore’s subsequent filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. All information in this press release is as of the date of the release, and Immunocore undertakes no duty to update this information, except as required by law. 

CONTACT: 
Immunocore
Sébastien Desprez, Head of Communications
T: +44 (0) 7458030732
E: sebastien.desprez@immunocore.com
Follow on Twitter: @Immunocore

Consilium Strategic Communications (corporate and financial)
Mary-Jane Elliott/ Chris Welsh/Jessica Hodgson
T: +44 (0)203 709 5700
E: Immunocore@consilium-comms.com

Investor Relations  
Clayton Robertson, Head of Investor Relations
T: +1 (215) 384-4781
E: clayton.robertson@immunocore.com

---

¹ Rantala ES, Hernberg M, Kivela TT. Overall survival after treatment for metastatic uveal melanoma: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Melanoma Res. 2019; 29:561-568.
² Khoja L, Atenafu EG, Suciu S, et al. Meta-analysis in metastatic uveal melanoma to determine progression free and overall survival benchmarks: an international rare cancers initiative (IRCI) ocular melanoma study. Ann Oncol. 2019; 30:1370-1380

FAQ

What are the latest findings on KIMMTRAK from Immunocore?

Immunocore presented data at the 2023 AACR Annual Meeting showing that early ctDNA reduction correlates with improved overall survival in metastatic uveal melanoma.

What is the significance of ctDNA reduction in the Phase 3 trial of KIMMTRAK?

In the Phase 3 trial, early ctDNA reduction was observed in 88% of first-line patients treated, strongly associated with longer overall survival.

What are the overall survival rates reported for KIMMTRAK?

The Phase 2 trial confirmed a median overall survival of 16.8 months, which is approximately double the historical rates for metastatic uveal melanoma.

What adverse effects have been reported for KIMMTRAK?

Adverse effects include Cytokine Release Syndrome in 89% of patients, as well as skin reactions and elevated liver enzymes.

When will Immunocore provide more OS data from the Phase 3 trial?

Immunocore plans to release additional overall survival data from the Phase 3 trial later in 2023.